大 志(たいし)

たいし

noun

great ambition; lofty aspiration

1. great ambition; lofty aspiration

A grand, far-reaching goal for one's life — bigger than ordinary career or personal goals. A formal, somewhat literary word, famous from William S. Clark's saying 少年(しょうねん)よ、大志(たいし)を抱(いだ)け ("Boys, be ambitious").

大志(たいし)を抱(いだ)く。

To hold a great ambition.

若(わか)いうちに大志(たいし)を持(も)つことが大切(たいせつ)だ。

It's important to have great ambitions while young.

彼(かれ)は大志(たいし)を抱(いだ)いて故郷(こきょう)を離(はな)れ、都会(とかい)へ向(む)かった。

Holding lofty ambitions, he left his hometown and headed for the city.

Compound of 大(たい) (great) + 志(し) (will, intention). A formal noun, often paired with 抱(いだ)く (to hold, to harbor).

Common collocations

大志(たいし)を抱(いだ)く: to harbor great ambitions
大志(たいし)を持(も)つ: to have great ambitions
少年(しょうねん)よ、大志(たいし)を抱(いだ)け: "Boys, be ambitious" (famous Clark quote)

Similar words

志(こころざし): aspiration; will — broader, also formal
野望(やぼう): ambition — often with a negative ring of selfish or excessive desire
野心(やしん): ambition; aspiration — can be neutral or negative depending on context
夢(ゆめ): dream — everyday word, less formal

Related Words

Compare: 野望(やぼう) (ambition)

Compare: 野心(やしん) (ambition)

Compare: 夢(ゆめ) (dream)

Related: 燕雀(えんじゃく) (small birds (swallows and sparrows))

general

Added 2026.6.7 12:04 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02

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