1.
to aim for, to aspire to, to strive for
To set a goal and work toward achieving it.
優勝を目指す。
To aim for the championship.
医者を目指して勉強している。
I'm studying with the aim of becoming a doctor.
世界に通用する企業を目指して日々努力している。
We make daily efforts aiming to become a company that can compete globally.
2.
to head for, to make for
To move toward a destination or direction.
山頂を目指す。
To head for the summit.
北を目指して歩いた。
I walked heading north.
港を目指して船は進んでいった。
The ship made its way toward the harbor.
CONJUGATION (godan-su):
- Negative: 目指さない
- Te-form: 目指して
- Past: 目指した
- Potential: 目指せる
TRANSITIVITY:
Transitive. Takes を for the goal or destination.
ASPECT:
目指している indicates an ongoing state of working toward a goal.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 優勝を目指す: to aim for the championship
- 頂上を目指す: to head for the top
- プロを目指す: to aspire to go professional
- 合格を目指す: to aim to pass (an exam)