1.
ambition; aspiration; ulterior motive
A strong desire to achieve something, especially power, wealth, or status. Unlike the English word 'ambition,' 野心 often carries a negative or suspicious nuance — implying aggressive, self-serving, or potentially unscrupulous motives. Composed of 野 (wild/field) + 心 (heart).
彼は野心のある人だ。
He is an ambitious person.
政治的な野心を隠そうともしない。
He doesn't even try to hide his political ambition.
野心に燃える若者が次々と都会を目指した時代があった。
There was an era when ambitious young people flocked to the city one after another.
USAGE:
野心 typically carries a negative or cautious nuance in Japanese, unlike the generally positive English word "ambition." It often implies scheming, aggression, or overreaching. For positive ambition, 志 or 向上心 are more appropriate.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 野心を抱く (harbor ambition)
- 野心に燃える (burn with ambition)
- 野心家 (an ambitious person — often negative)
- 野心的な (ambitious — often aggressive)
- 政治的野心 (political ambition)
SIMILAR WORDS:
向上心 is a positive word meaning "desire for self-improvement." 志 means "aspiration" or "aim" with a noble or idealistic nuance. 大志 means "great ambition" and is generally positive.