ambition
/æmˈbɪʃn/ (bre, ipa) · [æmbˈɪʃən] /æmˈbɪʃn/ (ame, ipa) · [æmbˈɪʃən] /am-ˈbi-shən/ (ame, mw)
ambition — 名詞
- ambitionsingular
- ambitionsplural
1. a determined desire to reach a particular result or way of life, especially one
抱負
很想完成的人生目標
a determined desire to reach a particular result or way of life, especially one that matters deeply to you
Minh's ambition is to design safer bicycles for city children.
Minh 的抱負是替城市裡的孩子設計更安全的腳踏車。
ambition + is + to-infinitive
After college, Elise pursued her ambition to open a small bakery.
大學畢業後，Elise 開始實現自己開一間小麵包店的抱負。
Rania's childhood ambition of becoming a pilot never really left her.
Rania 從小想當飛行員的抱負一直沒有消失。
Winning the science prize brought Mauricio closer to his ambition.
贏得科學獎，讓 Mauricio 離自己的抱負更近了一步。
- goal
more neutral and practical; it can describe smaller or shorter-term aims than 'ambition'
- aspiration
more formal and often used in education or career contexts
- dream
more emotional and less tied to a concrete plan than 'ambition'
- aimlessness
a lack of any clear direction or goal
文法句型
ambition to + verb
ambition of + -ing
用法筆記
Usually followed by a to-infinitive or by of + -ing when you name the aim itself. Distinguish from sense 2 (DRIVE FOR SUCCESS), which is about a person's hunger for status or power rather than one particular goal.
常見錯誤
2. the quality of wanting success, status, or influence very strongly, often enough
野心
想出人頭地或掌權的強烈慾望
the quality of wanting success, status, or influence very strongly, often enough to shape your choices
Dylan's ambition pushed him to compete for every leadership role.
Dylan 的野心驅使他去爭取每一個領導職位。
ambition as a driving personal trait
The senator hid his ambition behind friendly jokes and careful smiles.
那位參議員用親切的玩笑和謹慎的微笑掩飾自己的野心。
Dahlia admired talent, but she distrusted naked ambition in politics.
Dahlia 欣賞才華，卻不信任政壇裡赤裸裸的野心。
Too much ambition made the young manager ignore his exhausted staff.
過強的野心讓那位年輕經理忽視了疲憊的員工。
- drive
more neutral and often positive; it stresses energy and effort more than status
- hunger
more forceful and informal, often suggesting aggressive desire
- aspiration
usually sounds more idealistic and less morally risky than 'ambition'
- contentment
being satisfied with what you already have instead of pushing for more
- humility
not seeking power or high status for yourself
文法句型
have ambition
show ambition
用法筆記
Often used for career, money, or political advancement, and it can sound negative if the desire seems selfish or ruthless. Distinguish from sense 1 (PERSONAL GOAL), which names one specific aim rather than this general trait.
ambition — 動詞
- ambitionpresent simple I / you / we / they
- ambitions3rd person singular
- ambitioning-ing form
- ambitionedpast simple
1. to aim for something so strongly that it becomes the result you most want to rea
志在
把某事當成很想達成的目標
to aim for something so strongly that it becomes the result you most want to reach
In his letters, the young poet ambitioned lasting fame.
那位年輕詩人在書信裡表明自己志在留名後世。
formal transitive use with a goal noun
After his father's illness, the prince openly ambitioned the throne.
父親病倒後，王子公開表示自己志在王位。
Adina never ambitioned great wealth; she wanted steady work instead.
Adina 並不志在巨富，她只想要穩定的工作。
The reformer ambitioned a fairer school system for rural children.
那位改革者志在為鄉村孩子建立更公平的學校制度。
- renounce
to give up a claim to something you might otherwise try to gain
文法句型
ambition + noun
用法筆記
Rare and formal, often found in literary or historical writing. It usually takes a noun object such as 'the throne', 'fame', or 'great wealth', rather than a to-infinitive clause.