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.
motivation
'die Motivation' and 'der Ehrgeiz' both have to do with drive. 'Motivation' says in general why someone wants to do something or why someone has energy for a goal. 'Ehrgeiz' is stronger and more specific: a person wants to be successful, perform well, or receive recognition. So you can have motivation because something is fun or important. 'Ehrgeiz' fits better when someone wants to get especially far or be better. The words can be confused because ambition can be a form of motivation.
Mit großem Ehrgeiz bereitet sich Maria auf den wichtigen Kurs vor.
Maria is preparing for the important course with great ambition.
Das Kind hat durch das neue Buch mehr Motivation zum Lesen bekommen.
The new book gave the child more motivation to read.