1.
desire for career advancement; ambition (for success); drive to get ahead
A strong personal desire to rise in rank, status, or position — especially at a company or in society. Has a mildly negative or neutral nuance; "ambition" in a pure, positive sense is more often expressed with 向上心.
出世欲が強い。
To have a strong desire for success.
彼にはあまり出世欲がないらしい。
He apparently doesn't have much desire to climb the career ladder.
若いうちは出世欲に燃えていたが、今は家族との時間を大切にしている。
When I was young I burned with ambition, but now I value time with my family.
最近の若手社員は、昔に比べて出世欲が薄いと言われている。
It is said that compared to the past, today's young employees have weaker ambitions for advancement.
Composed of 出世 (rising in the world, career success) and 欲 (desire, drive). Refers to the desire to rise through the ranks of a company or of society — to get promoted, gain status, and earn a higher position.
REGISTER & NUANCE:
The word can be neutral or slightly negative depending on context. Someone described as having strong 出世欲 may be admired for their drive, but can also be seen as overly competitive or self-interested. For a more consistently positive term meaning general self-improvement ambition, use 向上心.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 出世欲が強い: to have strong ambition
- 出世欲がない: to have no ambition for advancement
- 出世欲に燃える: to burn with ambition
- 出世欲の塊: a mass of ambition (a very ambitious person)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 向上心: desire for self-improvement — always positive; broader than career ambition
- 野心: ambition (often bold or ruthless) — a stronger word; may suggest scheming
- 功名心: desire for fame or achievement — emphasizes wanting to be recognized
- 上昇志向: upward-striving orientation — a more analytical, sociological term for the same drive