ambizione

ambition

noun ahm-beet-TSYOH-neh Less Common

Origin: Latin ambitio (a going around to canvass votes)

Usage Note

Ambizione carries both positive (drive, aspiration) and negative (excessive greed for power) connotations, just as in English. The plural ambizioni is common: le sue ambizioni politiche (his political ambitions). Note the double 'z' in Italian (ambizione — two separate sounds: 'ts'); the pronunciation ahm-beet-TSYOH-neh reflects this. The adjective is ambizioso.

Examples

"La sua ambizione l'ha portata lontano."

Natural Translation

Her ambition has taken her far.

Literal Translation

The her ambition her-has brought far.

Related Words

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