抱负

• Pinyin: bào fù
• Hanzi breakdown: 抱 = 扌 (hand) + 包 (to wrap); 负 = 刀 (knife) + 贝 (shell/money)

Meaning

Ambition; aspiration. Lofty goals or aspirations one holds for oneself.

Refers to grand, often noble aspirations and life goals. More literary and elevated than 野心 (which can have negative connotations). Often used to describe aspirations related to career, contribution to society, or personal achievement.

Examples

1. 年轻时他满怀抱负，想要改变整个行业的格局。 In his youth, he was full of ambition and wanted to transform the entire industry.
2. 空有抱负却不付诸行动，最终只会一事无成。 Having ambitions but not acting on them will ultimately lead to nothing.
3. 她从小就有远大的抱负，立志要成为一名科学家。 She's had lofty aspirations since childhood and is determined to become a scientist.

Usage Guide

Context: career, life goals, literature

Tone: aspirational

Do Say

• 他是个有抱负的年轻人。(He's an ambitious young man.)
• 实现自己的抱负需要长期努力。(Achieving your ambitions requires long-term effort.)

Don't Say

• 把小目标说成'抱负' (Don't call trivial goals 抱负 — the word implies grand, meaningful aspirations)

Origin & History

抱 (to embrace/hold) + 负 (to bear/carry). To embrace and carry one's aspirations.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal