How to say "ambitious" in Japanese

• 遠大えんだいCommon
  na-adjective, nounCovers the sense of 'ambitious' applied to plans, goals, or visions that are grand and far-reaching, rather than to a person's character. Use it for an ambitious project or scheme.
• アンビシャス
  no-adjective, na-adjectiveA katakana loanword covering 'ambitious' directly, often in business or self-promotional contexts. Less common than native options, and largely interchangeable with 野心的 in tone.
• 野心的やしんてき
  na-adjectiveThe most typical word for an ambitious person: someone with strong drive, desire to succeed, or enterprising spirit. It can carry a hint of hunger for power or advancement.
  人間にんげんはあまりにも野心やしん的てきになりすぎると、自分じぶんを滅ほろぼしてしまうことになる。↗

  Man may well, in his attempt to be too ambitious, destroy himself.
• 雄心勃々ゆうしんぼつぼつ
  taru-adjective, adverb (with と)A four-character idiom meaning aspiring or ambitious, describing burning ambition in a literary style. It is a rare, ornate choice and is seldom the word you want in ordinary speech or writing.
• 意欲的いよくてき
  na-adjectiveReally means keen, eager, enthusiastic, or motivated rather than ambitious. Use it when the English 'ambitious' implies positive willingness to take on work, not striving for high goals.
  彼かれの次つぎの制作せいさくは非常ひじょうに意欲的いよくてきなミュージカルだった。↗

  His next production was a very ambitious musical.

野心的 is the default for a driven, ambitious person; 遠大 describes grand, far-reaching plans or goals; 意欲的 is better read as 'keen, motivated'; 「アンビシャス」 is a loanword alternative; 雄心勃々 is a rare four-character idiom.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 遠大えんだいgrand
• アンビシャスambitious
• 野心的やしんてきambitious
• 雄心勃々ゆうしんぼつぼつaspiring
• 意欲的いよくてきkeen