grande desafio
big challenge
Use it to describe a tough but rewarding task that requires your best effort.
En 15 secondes
- Used for significant hurdles requiring real effort and determination.
- Works in both professional meetings and casual heart-to-hearts.
- Implies a goal that is difficult but ultimately achievable.
Signification
It refers to a significant hurdle or a tough goal that requires real effort to overcome. It is the perfect way to describe something that isn't just hard, but truly tests your skills or patience.
Exemples clés
3 sur 6Talking about a new job
Este novo cargo é um grande desafio para mim.
This new position is a big challenge for me.
Discussing learning Portuguese
Aprender a gramática é o meu maior desafio.
Learning the grammar is my biggest challenge.
Texting a friend about the gym
O treino de hoje foi um grande desafio, mas consegui!
Today's workout was a big challenge, but I did it!
Contexte culturel
In Portuguese-speaking cultures, framing a problem as a 'desafio' (challenge) rather than a 'problema' (problem) is a common psychological shift. It reflects a proactive attitude, especially in the growing corporate and entrepreneurial scenes in cities like São Paulo and Lisbon. It became a buzzword in the early 2000s as self-help and management coaching gained popularity.
The 'Problem' Swap
If you want to sound more positive in a meeting, swap 'problema' for 'grande desafio'. It makes you look like a problem-solver rather than a complainer.
Don't Overuse It
If everything is a 'grande desafio', you might seem like you struggle with simple tasks. Save it for the stuff that actually makes you sweat.
En 15 secondes
- Used for significant hurdles requiring real effort and determination.
- Works in both professional meetings and casual heart-to-hearts.
- Implies a goal that is difficult but ultimately achievable.
What It Means
Grande desafio is your go-to phrase for life's obstacles. It translates to "big challenge." It describes a situation that demands focus. It is not just a small annoyance. It is something that makes you think twice. It suggests a journey toward a goal. You use it when the stakes feel real.
How To Use It
Place it after the verb ser (to be). You can say Isso é um grande desafio. It works as a noun phrase. You can also use it to start a sentence. For example: O grande desafio de hoje é acordar cedo. It sounds natural and balanced. You do not need complex grammar to make it shine. Just drop it in when things get tough. It makes you sound like a determined person.
When To Use It
Use it in professional settings during meetings. It shows you understand the project's scope. Use it with friends when discussing personal goals. It is great for talking about learning a language. Use it when you are hiking a steep mountain. It fits perfectly in a job interview. It shows you are ready for work. It also works for parenting or new hobbies. Basically, use it whenever you face a mountain, literal or metaphorical.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for tiny inconveniences. If you lose your pen, it is not a grande desafio. That just sounds dramatic and a bit silly. Avoid it for things that are purely negative. If something is just bad, use problema. A challenge implies a chance to succeed. If there is no hope, this phrase feels out of place. Do not use it if you are being sarcastic unless you want to sound very grumpy.
Cultural Background
Brazilians and Portuguese people value resilience. The word desafio carries a sense of pride. Overcoming a grande desafio is a common narrative in sports. It is also a favorite phrase for motivational speakers. In Brazil, people often face bureaucratic hurdles. They call these their grandes desafios with a weary smile. It reflects a culture that keeps pushing forward. It is about finding a way through the mess.
Common Variations
Enorme desafio: When the challenge is giant.Baita desafio: Very informal, common in Southern Brazil.Desafio gigante: For when things feel truly impossible.Um baita de um desafio: Adds extra emphasis and flavor.Desafio e tanto: Means it is quite a significant challenge.
Notes d'usage
The phrase is extremely versatile. In professional contexts, it signals a growth mindset. In casual speech, it's often used with a sigh of relief after completing something hard.
The 'Problem' Swap
If you want to sound more positive in a meeting, swap 'problema' for 'grande desafio'. It makes you look like a problem-solver rather than a complainer.
Don't Overuse It
If everything is a 'grande desafio', you might seem like you struggle with simple tasks. Save it for the stuff that actually makes you sweat.
The 'Baita' Alternative
In informal Brazilian Portuguese, especially in the south, you'll hear 'um baita desafio'. 'Baita' is a fun, slangy way to say 'huge' or 'impressive'.
Exemples
6Este novo cargo é um grande desafio para mim.
This new position is a big challenge for me.
Shows humility and readiness to work hard.
Aprender a gramática é o meu maior desafio.
Learning the grammar is my biggest challenge.
Relatable for any language learner.
O treino de hoje foi um grande desafio, mas consegui!
Today's workout was a big challenge, but I did it!
Celebratory and informal.
Fazer meu filho comer brócolis é um grande desafio diário.
Getting my son to eat broccoli is a big daily challenge.
Uses the phrase for a lighthearted domestic struggle.
Enfrentamos o grande desafio de proteger o meio ambiente.
We face the big challenge of protecting the environment.
Used for serious, large-scale societal issues.
Eu sei que é um grande desafio, mas estou com você.
I know it's a big challenge, but I'm with you.
Provides emotional support during a tough time.
Teste-toi
Choose the best word to complete the sentence describing a hard project.
Terminar este relatório até amanhã será um ___ desafio.
'Grande desafio' is the standard collocation for a difficult task like a deadline.
How would you describe a difficult but exciting new hobby?
Começar a tocar piano aos 40 anos é um ___.
Learning an instrument is a positive hurdle, making 'grande desafio' the perfect fit.
🎉 Score : /2
Aides visuelles
Formality of 'Grande Desafio'
Used with friends about life.
Cara, que grande desafio!
Standard daily use.
É um grande desafio.
Professional or academic.
Constitui um grande desafio.
Where to use 'Grande Desafio'
Job Interview
Busco um grande desafio.
Sports/Gym
Essa maratona é um grande desafio.
Education
A prova foi um grande desafio.
Personal Growth
Mudar de país é um grande desafio.
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt is neutral. You can use it in a legal document or while drinking a beer with a friend without it sounding weird.
Yes, but 'grande desafio' sounds more natural and emphatic. Putting the adjective first in Portuguese often adds a touch of emotion or importance.
A 'desafio' is something you want to overcome to grow. A 'problema' is just something that's broken or wrong.
You can say é um desafio enorme or é um desafio gigante to add more scale to the situation.
Absolutely. It is standard across all Portuguese-speaking countries, from Lisbon to Luanda to Rio.
Not really. You wouldn't call a person a 'grande desafio' unless you mean that managing them is a difficult task.
The verbs ser (to be), enfrentar (to face), and superar (to overcome) are the most common partners for this phrase.
In Brazil, you might hear parada sinistra (sinister situation) to describe a very difficult challenge in a very informal way.
Only if you are being very sarcastic. If you use it for an easy task, people will think you are joking.
Yes, grandes desafios. Use it when life decides to throw everything at you at once.
Expressions liées
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