Learn Italian: Ci vuole una vita intera per perfezionare quest'arte. - It takes a whole lifetime to perfect this art.

Volerci expresses a general, objective requirement (like "it takes" or "is needed"), whereas metterci is used for how much time a specific person spends doing something. We use the singular ci vuole because the thing being required, una vita intera (an entire lifetime), is singular. If the subject were plural, like two lifetimes, we would use ci vogliono.

Could I say tutta una vita instead of una vita intera?

Yes, both translate to "a whole lifetime" and are grammatically correct. However, placing the adjective intera after the noun emphasizes the unbroken, complete nature of that single lifetime ("an entire lifetime"), which sounds slightly more emphatic and natural in this kind of sweeping statement.

Why is the preposition per needed before the verb perfezionare?

In English, we say "it takes a lifetime to perfect", using just the infinitive. In Italian, when an infinitive verb shows the purpose or goal of the main clause, you must use per to mean "in order to". Therefore, per perfezionare translates literally as "in order to perfect".

Why does questa become quest' in quest'arte?