ambition
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ambition
A strong drive for success, achievement, recognition, or a high position. Often used in the plural to describe specific goals.
Ihre Ambitionen gehen weit über eine normale Karriere hinaus; sie will die Branche verändern.
Her ambitions go far beyond a normal career; she wants to change the industry.
'Ambition' (ambition) is a word that is used more in elevated or formal language. It sounds more educated and is often used in contexts such as careers, art, or politics.
Der junge Regisseur hat große künstlerische Ambitionen.
The young director has great artistic ambitions.
In the singular ('die Ambition' — ambition), the word describes the general drive for success as a character trait. In the plural ('die Ambitionen' — ambitions), it refers to specific, ambitious goals.
Ihm fehlt die nötige Ambition für eine Führungsposition.
He lacks the necessary ambition for a leadership position.
Common verbs used with this noun are 'Ambitionen haben' (to have ambitions), 'Ambitionen hegen' (to harbor ambitions), or 'Ambitionen verfolgen' (to pursue ambitions). Typical adjectives are 'große' (great), 'hohe' (high), 'politische' (political), or 'berufliche' (professional) ambitions.
Er hat schon immer politische Ambitionen gehabt.
He has always had political ambitions.
If you want to describe a specific goal, you can use an infinitive construction with 'zu' (to). The pattern is: 'die Ambition haben, etwas zu tun' (to have the ambition to do something).
Sie hat die Ambition, die beste in ihrem Fach zu werden.
She has the ambition to become the best in her field.
goal / destination / target
Ziel and Ambition can refer to a desired professional success. Ziel usually names the intended result concretely; Ambition emphasizes a strong and often demanding drive for success, recognition, or advancement. Use Ziel for a measurable step and Ambition for great ambition.
Ihre Ambition ist, langfristig bis in die Geschäftsführung aufzusteigen.
Her ambition is to rise to the executive board in the long term.
Ihr Ziel ist, im nächsten Jahr die Leitung ihres Teams zu übernehmen.
Her goal is to take over the management of her team next year.
