How to say "ambition" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 野望やぼうnounAmbition on a grand scale — a bold, far-reaching design for power, conquest, or success. It often carries a hint of audacity or ruthlessness, so it suits dramatic or worldly ambitions rather than everyday goals.
- 野心やしんnounAmbition as a strong drive to get ahead or rise in the world. It can shade into hunger for power or gain, so it may sound less neutral than a simple statement of goals.
- 志望しぼうnoun, suru verb, transitive verbA stated aim rather than ambition itself: the school, course, or job one has set one's heart on, especially in applications and entrance exams. For a life ambition it is seldom the word you want.
- 抱負ほうふnounOne's personal aims and hopes for the future — the plans you hold and often voice when starting a job or taking on a role. Nearer to 'hopes and plans' than to burning ambition.
- 大志たいしnounA lofty, grand-scale ambition — aspiration of the 'aim high' kind, a great purpose one resolves to pursue. It frames the ambition as something grand and worthy rather than merely self-interested.
野望 and 野心 both denote strong ambition, 野望 the grander, often power-driven kind, 野心 a keen drive to get ahead; 志望 is a stated choice in applications; 抱負 is one's stated hopes and plans; 大志 is lofty ambition.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
This browser can't play pronunciations (needs Safari 18.4 or later, or Chrome / Edge / Firefox).
