野心
Meanings
A strong desire to achieve something great, often with a neutral or positive connotation. Can also imply a self-centered drive depending on context.
He had the ambition to become a politician from a young age.
Her aspiration is to start her own company.
sinister designs; treacherous intent
Used when ambition is seen as scheming, underhanded, or aimed at seizing power unethically. Often appears in historical or dramatic contexts.
The warlord harbored treacherous designs to take over the country.
It seems there is some sinister intent hidden behind his actions.
Usage patterns
- 〈人〉が野心を抱くto harbor an ambition
He had harbored great ambitions since he was young.
- 野心を燃やすto be fired up with ambition
She is burning with ambition to become president of the company.
- 野心を実現するto realize one's ambition
He worked hard and finally realized his ambition.
- 野心を隠すto conceal one's sinister ambitions
The general concealed his ambitions and pretended to be a loyal subject.
- 野心をむき出しにするto openly display one's (sinister) ambitions
He finally showed his true ambitions and tried to seize power.