Inklingo

How to Say "ambitious" in Spanish

English → Spanish

ambicioso

/am-bee-see-OH-so//ambiˈsjoso/

adjectiveA2general
Use 'ambicioso' when describing someone who has a strong, general desire for success, achievement, or advancement in life.
A hiker standing on a small hill looking towards a much taller, majestic mountain peak in the distance.

Examples

Mi hermano es un estudiante muy ambicioso.

My brother is a very ambitious student.

Presentaron un plan ambicioso para limpiar el océano.

They presented an ambitious plan to clean the ocean.

A veces es demasiado ambicioso y no piensa en los demás.

Sometimes he is too greedy and doesn't think about others.

Matching the Person

In Spanish, describing words must match the person. Use 'ambicioso' for a man and change the 'o' to an 'a' ('ambiciosa') for a woman.

Word Order

Usually, this word comes after the person or thing you are describing. For example: 'un hombre ambicioso' (an ambitious man).

The 'O' or 'A' Trap

Mistake: “Ella es muy ambicioso.”

Correction: Say 'Ella es muy ambiciosa.' You must change the ending to match the gender of the person.

competitivo

/kom-peh-tee-TEE-boh//kompetiˈtiβo/

adjectiveA2general
Use 'competitivo' when focusing on someone's strong desire to win, especially in games, sports, or situations where there are clear winners and losers.
A child focused intently on a board game, leaning forward with a determined expression.

Examples

Mi hermano es muy competitivo cuando juega al tenis.

My brother is very competitive when he plays tennis.

No seas tan competitivo, solo es un juego de mesa.

Don't be so competitive, it's just a board game.

El mercado laboral actual es sumamente competitivo.

The current job market is extremely competitive.

Matching Gender and Number

Remember that this word must match the person or thing it describes. If you are talking about a woman, change it to 'competitiva'. If you are talking about a group of things, use 'competitivos' or 'competitivas'.

Using with 'Ser' vs. 'Estar'

We almost always use 'ser' with this word because it describes a person's personality trait or a fixed quality of a market.

The 'o/a' swap

Mistake: “Maria es muy competitivo.”

Correction: Maria es muy competitiva. Because Maria is female, the ending of the adjective must change to 'a'.

Ambicioso vs. Competitivo

Learners often use 'ambicioso' when they mean 'competitivo'. Remember that 'ambicioso' is about a broad desire for success, while 'competitivo' specifically implies a drive to win against others.

Related Translations

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