向 上 心(こうじょうしん)

こうじょうしん

noun

ambition, desire to improve

1. ambition, desire to improve oneself, aspiration

The inner drive to better oneself, develop skills, or advance in life. A positive character trait involving the motivation to keep growing and not become complacent.

向上心(こうじょうしん)のある人(ひと)は成長(せいちょう)が早(はや)い。

People with a desire to improve grow quickly.

彼女(かのじょ)は向上心(こうじょうしん)が強(つよ)く、常(つね)に新(あたら)しいことに挑戦(ちょうせん)している。

She has a strong drive to improve and is always taking on new challenges.

向上心(こうじょうしん)を持(も)ち続(つづ)けることが仕事(しごと)でもプライベートでも大切(たいせつ)だ。

It is important to keep your desire to improve alive, both at work and in your personal life.

Common collocations

向上心(こうじょうしん)がある (have ambition/drive)
向上心(こうじょうしん)が強(つよ)い (have a strong desire to improve)
向上心(こうじょうしん)を持(も)つ (have aspirations)
向上心(こうじょうしん)に欠(か)ける (lack ambition)

A compound of 向上(こうじょう) (improvement, advancement) and 心(しん) (mind, spirit). Frequently appears in self-help books, job interviews, and discussions about personal development. Always carries a positive connotation.

Related Words

Compare: 野心(やしん) (ambition; often negative)

Compare: 勝(か)ち気(き) (competitive spirit)

Compare: 出世欲(しゅっせよく) (desire for career advancement)

Compare: 競争心(きょうそうしん) (competitive spirit)

general

Added 2026.2.18 23:04 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

11500/11897_koujoushin