ambition
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ambition
A strong drive for success, achievement, recognition, or reaching ambitious goals; ambition.
Sein großer Ehrgeiz half ihm, die Karriereleiter schnell zu erklimmen.
His great ambition helped him climb the career ladder quickly.
'Ehrgeiz' (ambition) consists of 'Ehre' (honor) and 'Geiz' (stinginess/greed). In the past, 'Geiz' meant 'strong desire.' So the word describes a strong desire for honor and recognition.
Sein Ehrgeiz ist bewundernswert.
His ambition is admirable.
'Ehrgeiz' (ambition) is often combined with evaluative adjectives. For example, people speak of 'gesundem Ehrgeiz' (healthy ambition), 'großem Ehrgeiz' (great ambition), or 'übertriebenem Ehrgeiz' (excessive ambition).
Mit übertriebenem Ehrgeiz macht man sich bei Kollegen nicht beliebt.
With excessive ambition, you don't make yourself popular with colleagues.
Typical verbs used with 'Ehrgeiz' (ambition) are 'Ehrgeiz haben' (to have ambition), 'Ehrgeiz zeigen' (to show ambition), or 'vom Ehrgeiz gepackt werden' (to be seized by ambition).
Sie hat im Wettkampf großen Ehrgeiz gezeigt.
She showed great ambition in the competition.
ambition
Ehrgeiz and Ambition both refer to a strong drive for success. Ehrgeiz more strongly emphasizes a personal inner drive to achieve and perform. Ambition sounds more objective and, especially in the plural, often refers to specific ambitious goals or a desired position.
Ihr Ehrgeiz treibt sie an, im Beruf immer bessere Leistungen zu zeigen.
Her ambition drives her to achieve better and better results at work.
Zu ihren beruflichen Ambitionen gehört eine leitende Position im Unternehmen.
Her professional ambitions include a management position in the company.
