ambition
/ɑ̃.bi.sjɔ̃/feminine
The French word for ambition is ambition.
ambition is a noun used to describe a desire. You can use several common phrases to express different nuances of this concept: nourrir une ambition is used for nurturing an ambition, avoir pour ambition de expresses having the ambition to and poursuivre ses ambitions means pursuing one's ambitions. To describe someone with an intense drive, you might say they are d'une ambition débordante (with overflowing ambition) or possess une grande ambition personnelle (a great personal ambition). If you want to use an idiom, avoir de l'ambition à revendre means to have ambition to spare, while viser toujours plus haut means to always aim higher.
Meaning: desire (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
Because ambition is a feminine noun that begins with a vowel, the definite article is elided to l'ambition.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɑ̃.bi.sjɔ̃/. It has 3 syllables.
Did you know?
- The Latin root of ambition refers to 'walking around', as candidates for office in ancient Rome would literally walk around the city to solicit votes.
- In French, the word ambitieux used as an adjective can describe a project or a plan that is overly optimistic or unrealistic.
- In French, the word ambition can carry a slightly more pejorative or 'social climber' connotation than the English word 'ambition' often does in professional contexts.
Examples in context
- Tom a de l'ambition.Tom has ambition.Tatoeba #8619992 by Micsmithel, translation #3171357 by CK
- Il avait de l'ambition.He had ambition.Tatoeba #132922 by Julien_PDC, translation #301359 by CK
- Il est plein d'ambition.He is full of ambition.Tatoeba #133446 by qdii, translation #304281 by CC
- Elle a une grande ambition dans le domaine de la médecine.She has great ambition in the field of medicine.
- Sa volonté de réussir lui permet de gravir les échelons rapidement.His ambition allows him to climb the ladder quickly.
- Ce jeune homme a de l'ambition et veut réussir dans le monde de l'art.This young man has ambition and wants to succeed in the world of art.
- 28 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Chloé are discussing their professional goals at a cafe.
- GabrielChloé, tu as beaucoup d'ambition dans ton nouveau travail.Chloé, you have a lot of ambition in your new job.
- ChloéMerci, c'est important pour moi de réussir.Thank you, it is important for me to succeed.
- GabrielTon ambition est vraiment impressionnante.Your ambition is truly impressive.
- ChloéJe fais de mon mieux pour progresser.I am doing my best to progress.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ambition” translations and entries ambition, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ambition, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
