ambicioso
/ambiˈθjoso/
The English word ambitious is translated into Spanish as ambicioso.
The word ambicioso is used to describe someone or something that possesses or is controlled by ambition. Much like in English, this can be used positively to describe a person with drive or negatively to describe someone who is overly greedy or grasping.
Meaning: possessing, or controlled by, ambition (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender with the noun it describes, changing from ambicioso to ambiciosa for feminine nouns. The masculine plural form ambiciosos is used when describing a group of men or a mixed-gender group. The feminine plural form ambiciosas is used when describing a group consisting only of females.
How do you pronounce it?
/ambiˈθjoso/
Did you know?
- Spanish often uses the phrase tener ambición to describe a healthy drive, whereas ser ambicioso can sound like a permanent and potentially dangerous personality trait.
- The Spanish word shares an ancestral lineage with the English word 'ambit', referring to the scope or bounds of something.
- The suffix '-oso' in ambicioso is used to turn a noun into an adjective meaning 'full of', similar to how 'joyful' is 'full of joy'.
Examples in context
- Es joven y ambicioso.He is young and ambitious.This sentence is useful for describing someone who is young and possesses the quality of ambicioso.Tatoeba #9667841 by Shishir, translation #2977372 by jeedrek
- Es un proyecto ambicioso.It's an ambitious project.This sentence is useful for describing a project that is ambicioso.Tatoeba #1476884 by marcelostockle, translation #1476611 by Spamster
- Tom no era muy ambicioso.Tom wasn't very ambitious.This sentence is useful for stating that someone was not very ambicioso.Tatoeba #6630265 by Schuager, translation #6354043 by CK
- María es una mujer ambiciosa que siempre persigue sus metasMaría is an ambitious woman who always pursues her goals
- Mi hermana estudia con ganas para lograr un futuro exitosoMy sister studies with ambition to achieve a successful future
- 14 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and Lucía are discussing a new business plan.
- MateoTu plan de negocios es muy ambicioso.Your business plan is very ambitious.
- LucíaSí, quiero que la empresa crezca mucho.Yes, I want the company to grow a lot.
- MateoEres una mujer muy ambiciosa, Lucía.You are a very ambitious woman, Lucía.
- LucíaGracias, Mateo, pero también soy trabajadora.Thanks, Mateo, but I am also hardworking.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ambitious” translations and entries ambicioso, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
