Learn Hardcore Portuguese (Portugal): Para contornar este desafio, precisas de planear bem cada etapa. - To bypass this challenge, you need to plan each step carefully.

Contornar means to overcome, bypass, or get around something. In this context, it implies that you need to find a way to tackle or avoid the difficulty posed by the challenge.

Why does the sentence begin with Para and what does it add to the meaning?

Para serves as a preposition that indicates purpose. Here, it introduces the aim of the actions that follow—specifically, the purpose is to overcome the challenge. It’s similar to saying “in order to” in English.

What does the form precisas tell us about the sentence’s subject and formality?

Precisas is the second person singular (tu) present form of the verb precisar, which means “to need.” Its use tells us that the sentence is addressing someone directly in an informal manner, as is common in European Portuguese when speaking to one person.

Why is the structure precisas de planear used, with the preposition de?

In Portuguese, certain verbs such as precisar require the preposition de before an infinitive verb. So, precisas de planear correctly follows this grammatical construction to mean “you need to plan.”

What does the phrase planear bem cada etapa mean, and why is it important in this context?

Planear means “to plan,” bem means “well,” and cada etapa translates as “each stage” or “each step.” Together, the phrase emphasizes that careful and detailed planning is necessary for every part of the process, which is presented as the solution to overcoming the challenge.