Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Ambition'

English Word: ambition

Key Russian Translations:

• амбиция [ɐmˈbʲit͡sɨjə] - [Formal, Singular]
• стремление [strʲɪˈmlʲenʲɪjə] - [Neutral, Often used for aspirations]
• цель [t͡sɛlʲ] - [Neutral, Often refers to a specific goal]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: A2-B1 (Beginner to Intermediate, varies slightly by term)

Pronunciation (Russian):

амбиция: [ɐmˈbʲit͡sɨjə]

Note on амбиция: Stress falls on the second syllable; the 'ц' is pronounced as a sharp 'ts' sound.

стремление: [strʲɪˈmlʲenʲɪjə]

Note on стремление: Stress on the second syllable; the soft 'л' requires a palatalized sound.

цель: [t͡sɛlʲ]

Note on цель: Stress on the single syllable; 'ц' is a hard 'ts' sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Desire for Success or Achievement

Translation(s) & Context:

• амбиция - Often used in formal contexts or to imply a strong, sometimes excessive desire for success.
• стремление - Neutral term for aspiration or striving towards a goal.

Usage Examples:

• Его амбиция стать директором вдохновляет всех вокруг.

  His ambition to become a director inspires everyone around him.

• У неё большое стремление к знаниям.

  She has a great aspiration for knowledge.

• Амбиции могут как помочь, так и навредить.

  Ambitions can both help and harm.

2. A Specific Goal or Aim

Translation(s) & Context:

• цель - Refers to a concrete objective or target one aims to achieve.

Usage Examples:

• Её цель — выиграть олимпиаду.

  Her ambition is to win the Olympiad.

• Мы достигли нашей цели раньше срока.

  We achieved our goal ahead of schedule.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

амбиция (Noun, Feminine):

стремление (Noun, Neuter) and цель (Noun, Feminine): Follow regular declension patterns for their respective genders. Detailed tables can be provided upon request.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for амбиция/стремление:

• желание (desire)
• устремление (aspiration)

Note: "желание" is more general, while "устремление" often implies a lofty goal.

Antonyms for амбиция/стремление:

• апатия (apathy)
• безразличие (indifference)

Related Phrases:

• высокие амбиции - high ambitions (refers to aiming for significant achievements)
• стремление к успеху - striving for success (common motivational phrase)
• достичь цели - to achieve a goal (common expression for fulfilling an ambition)

Usage Notes:

• "амбиция" often carries a nuanced tone; it can imply arrogance or overconfidence in certain contexts, unlike the more neutral "стремление".
• Use "цель" when referring to a tangible or specific target, while "стремление" is better for abstract aspirations.
• Russian tends to differentiate ambition based on context—formal vs. personal goals—so choose the translation carefully based on tone.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "амбиция" in all contexts for "ambition". Explanation: This can sound overly formal or negative (e.g., implying selfishness). Correct Usage: Use "стремление" for neutral or positive aspirations, e.g., "У меня есть стремление учиться" (I have an ambition to learn) instead of "У меня есть амбиция учиться".
• Error: Confusing "цель" with "стремление". Explanation: "цель" is a specific goal, while "стремление" is a broader desire. Correct Usage: Say "Моя цель — закончить проект" (My goal is to finish the project) rather than using "стремление" here.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, overt displays of "амбиция" can sometimes be viewed skeptically, as humility is often valued. Expressing personal ambitions might be framed more subtly using "стремление" to avoid seeming boastful. Additionally, collective goals (e.g., family or societal) are often emphasized over individual ambitions in traditional contexts.

Related Concepts:

• мечта (dream)
• успех (success)
• достижение (achievement)