Dictionary
English - Japanese

Ambition

æmˈbɪʃ(ə)n
Very common
~ 2500
~ 2500
The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000. This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.

野心 (やしん), 志 (こころざし), 意欲 (いよく), 目的 (もくてき)

Ambition meanings in Japanese

野心 (やしん)

Example:
His ambition is to become a successful entrepreneur.
彼の野心は成功した起業家になることです。
She has a strong ambition to excel in her career.
彼女は自分のキャリアで優れた成果を上げるという強い野心を持っています。
Usage: FormalContext: Used in discussions about career goals, personal aspirations, or professional achievements.
Note: This meaning emphasizes a strong desire for success and can have both positive and negative connotations depending on the context.

志 (こころざし)

Example:
He pursued his ambition with great determination.
彼は大きな決意を持って志を追求しました。
Her ambition to become a doctor started in childhood.
彼女の医者になりたいという志は子供の頃から始まりました。
Usage: FormalContext: Often used in contexts related to personal goals, dreams, or aspirations, particularly in a noble sense.
Note: This term can convey a sense of moral or ethical aspiration, often used in philosophical discussions.

意欲 (いよく)

Example:
His ambition to learn new skills is admirable.
新しいスキルを学びたいという彼の意欲は賞賛に値します。
She showed great ambition in her studies.
彼女は学業において大きな意欲を示しました。
Usage: Formal/InformalContext: Used in educational or professional settings to describe motivation or eagerness.
Note: This word often emphasizes the motivation behind one's actions rather than the outcome itself.

目的 (もくてき)

Example:
His ambition is his life’s purpose.
彼の野心は彼の人生の目的です。
She found her ambition in helping others.
彼女は他者を助けることに野心を見出しました。
Usage: FormalContext: Used in contexts where ambition is linked to goals or purposes in life.
Note: This meaning focuses more on the ultimate goal or purpose rather than the desire itself.

Ambition's synonyms

aspiration

An aspiration is a strong desire or ambition to achieve something great or significant.
Example: Her aspiration is to become a successful entrepreneur.
Note: Aspiration is often used to refer to a long-term goal or dream that one is striving towards.

drive

Drive refers to a strong motivation or determination to achieve a goal or succeed in a particular endeavor.
Example: His relentless drive to succeed propelled him to the top of his field.
Note: Drive emphasizes the energy and determination behind one's actions towards achieving a goal.

goal

A goal is an objective or target that one aims to accomplish through effort and determination.
Example: Setting clear goals is essential for achieving success in any endeavor.
Note: While ambition is the desire or determination to achieve something, a goal is a specific target or objective that one sets to fulfill that ambition.

desire

Desire refers to a strong feeling of wanting or wishing for something.
Example: She has a burning desire to make a positive impact on the world.
Note: Desire is a more general term that encompasses various wants or wishes, while ambition often implies a specific goal or aspiration.

Ambition expressions, common phrases

reach for the stars

This phrase means to aim for very high or ambitious goals.
Example: She's always reaching for the stars with her ambitious goals.
Note: It emphasizes aiming for the highest possible level of achievement.

climb the ladder

To work one's way up in a hierarchy or organization, usually with ambition and determination.
Example: He's determined to climb the ladder and become the CEO of the company.
Note: It specifically refers to advancing in a structured hierarchy or system.

make it big

To achieve great success, especially in a particular field or industry.
Example: She's confident that she will make it big in the music industry with her talent and ambition.
Note: It suggests achieving significant success or recognition beyond one's initial expectations.

have big dreams

To have grand or ambitious aspirations for the future.
Example: As a child, she always had big dreams of becoming a famous actress.
Note: It focuses on having lofty aspirations or goals that may seem unattainable.

shoot for the moon

To set very high goals or ambitions, even if they seem unrealistic.
Example: Don't be afraid to shoot for the moon and pursue your wildest ambitions.
Note: It emphasizes setting extremely ambitious goals with no fear of failure.

go the extra mile

To make additional effort or do more than what is expected in pursuit of a goal.
Example: She's always willing to go the extra mile to achieve her ambitious career goals.
Note: It highlights going above and beyond the usual effort required to achieve success.

chase your dreams

To actively pursue and work towards achieving one's ambitious goals or aspirations.
Example: He decided to quit his job and chase his dreams of starting his own business.
Note: It emphasizes actively pursuing and striving to achieve one's aspirations or ambitions.

Ambition everyday (slang) expressions

hustle

To work hard and persistently towards a goal or ambition, often involving creative or entrepreneurial pursuits.
Example: She's always hustling to achieve her ambitions.
Note: While ambition refers to one's desire or drive to achieve something, hustle emphasizes the consistent effort and determination put into pursuing those ambitions.

grind

Refers to the hard work, effort, and dedication required to achieve ambitions, often in the face of challenges.
Example: I respect her determination and grind to reach her goals.
Note: Grind focuses on the daily, sometimes repetitive, laborious efforts necessary to achieve ambitions, highlighting the perseverance and resilience required in the process.

hustle and bustle

The busy and noisy activity of a place or situation, often referring to the fast-paced nature of urban environments where individuals pursue their ambitions.
Example: Amidst the hustle and bustle of the city, he never loses sight of his ambitions.
Note: This term captures the energetic and dynamic environment in which people work towards their goals, highlighting the chaotic yet purposeful nature of striving for ambitions amidst distractions and challenges.

gig

A temporary job or project, often in the creative or freelance industry, taken on to support one's ambitions or aspirations.
Example: She's taking on multiple gigs to fund her ambitious projects.
Note: While ambition refers to the overarching desire for success, gig specifically refers to the smaller, often diverse tasks or projects undertaken to further those ambitions.

all in

Committing fully and wholeheartedly to pursuing one's ambitions, often involving taking significant risks or making major life decisions.
Example: She's going all in on her ambitions and starting her own business.
Note: While ambition represents the goal or desire to achieve something, going 'all in' emphasizes the absolute dedication and willingness to invest whatever it takes to succeed in those ambitions.

grit

The courage, resolve, and perseverance needed to overcome obstacles and achieve one's ambitions or long-term goals.
Example: Her grit and determination in the face of challenges help her achieve her ambitious goals.
Note: While ambition refers to the desire to succeed, grit emphasizes the resilience and tenacity required to persist through difficulties and setbacks in the pursuit of those ambitions.

Ambition - Examples

My ambition is to become a successful writer.
She has a strong ambition to become a doctor.
His ambition is to climb Mount Everest.

Ambition grammar

Ambition - Noun (Noun) / Noun, singular or mass (Noun, singular or mass)
Lemma: ambition
Conjugations
Noun, plural (Noun, plural): ambitions, ambition
Noun, singular or mass (Noun, singular or mass): ambition
Syllables, Separation and Stress
ambition Contains 3 syllables: am • bi • tion
Phonetic transcription: am-ˈbi-shən
am bi tion , am ˈbi shən (The red syllable is stressed)

Ambition - Importance and usage frequency

The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000.
ambition: ~ 2500 (Very common).
This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
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