effort / endeavor
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effort / endeavor
A serious effort or a goal that someone pursues. The plural is often used to describe various efforts.
Es gibt Bestrebungen, den öffentlichen Nahverkehr in der Stadt zu verbessern.
There are efforts to improve public transportation in the city.
The noun 'die Bestrebung' (effort/endeavor) is derived directly from the verb 'streben' (to strive), which means 'to make an intensive effort toward something'. A Bestrebung is therefore the result or act of striving toward a goal.
Er strebt nach Anerkennung für seine Arbeit.
He strives for recognition for his work.
The word 'Bestrebung' (effort/endeavor) is used mainly in formal contexts such as politics, science, or official reports. In everyday language, you would more likely speak of 'Zielen' (goals) or 'Bemühungen' (efforts).
Die politischen Bestrebungen zielen auf eine Reform des Bildungssystems.
The political efforts are aimed at reforming the education system.
'Bestrebung' (effort/endeavor) is very often used with an infinitive construction with 'zu' to describe the exact goal. The pattern is: 'Bestrebungen, etwas zu tun' (efforts to do something).
Die Firma hat ihre Bestrebungen, die Produktion nachhaltiger zu gestalten, verstärkt.
The company has intensified its efforts to make production more sustainable.
Although the singular exists, the word is very often used in the plural, 'die Bestrebungen' (the efforts/endeavors). This emphasizes that it refers to multiple or extensive efforts.
Es gab schon immer Bestrebungen, die Lebensqualität in der Stadt zu erhöhen.
There have always been efforts to improve the quality of life in the city.
effort
Bemühung and Bestrebung both refer to pursuing a goal. Bemühung focuses more on the specific effort or attempt, while Bestrebung sounds more formal and emphasizes a longer-term direction more strongly.
Die Bestrebung der Schule, den Schulhof dauerhaft sauber zu halten, steht im neuen Leitbild.
The school's aim of keeping the schoolyard clean in the long term is included in its new mission statement.
Die täglichen Bemühungen der Schüler halten den Schulhof sauber.
The students' daily efforts keep the schoolyard clean.
