野心

• Reading: やしん
• Romaji: yashin
• Kanji breakdown: 野 (ya) — field, wild; 心 (shin) — heart, mind
• Pronunciation: /ja.ɕiɴ/

Meaning

Ambition; aspiration. A strong desire to achieve something great, sometimes with a slightly aggressive connotation.

A noun referring to ambitious drive or desire for achievement. Unlike 志 (kokorozashi), which has a purely positive connotation, 野心 can carry both positive and slightly negative overtones — suggesting ruthlessness or overreaching. Common expressions include 野心家 (ambitious person), 野心的 (ambitious), and 野心を抱く (to harbour ambition).

Examples

1. 彼は政治家になるという野心を抱いていた。 He harbored an ambition to become a politician.
2. 野心的なプロジェクトだが成功の可能性はある。 It's an ambitious project, but there's a chance it could succeed.
3. 若いうちは野心を持つことが大切だ。 It's important to be ambitious while you're young.

Usage Guide

Context: career, politics, business, personal development

Tone: ambitious

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese 野 (ya, field/wild) + 心 (shin, heart/mind). Literally 'wild heart,' evoking the image of untamed ambition roaming freely. The 'wild' aspect gives the word its slightly aggressive edge compared to more neutral terms for ambition.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal