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Ci vuole un autocontrollo estremo per non ferire l'avversario.

Ci vuole un autocontrollo estremo per non ferire l'avversario.
It takes extreme self-control not to injure your opponent.
From Lesson 451:Necessity (volerci)·Italian

Questions & Answers about Ci vuole un autocontrollo estremo per non ferire l'avversario.

Why do we use ci vuole here instead of ci vogliono?
Ci vuole (from the verb volerci) expresses a general necessity, translating to 'it takes' or 'one needs'. We use the singular form ci vuole because the thing that is needed, un autocontrollo estremo (extreme self-control), is singular. If the required thing were plural, we would use ci vogliono.
Why does the sentence use per non ferire to mean 'not to injure'?
To express purpose, such as 'in order to' or 'so as to', Italian uses per followed by an infinitive verb. When making this negative ('in order not to'), the word non is placed right between per and the infinitive, creating per non ferire.
The English translation says 'your opponent', so why does the Italian just say l'avversario without a possessive?
When making general statements about situations like sports, games, or conflicts, Italian prefers the definite article (l'avversario, meaning the opponent) over a possessive like il tuo avversario. The fact that it is 'your' opponent is naturally understood from the context.
Could I translate 'it takes' literally using the verb prendere?
No, when English uses 'it takes' to mean 'it requires' for time, effort, or an abstract quality like self-control, Italian never uses prendere. You must use volerci, which conveys the idea that a certain element is required to achieve a goal.

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