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A2 noun #2,000 よく出る 10分で読める

ambition

練習する 例文 メモとヒント ambition 30秒で
解説 ambition in your Level:
At the A1 level, 'ambition' is a word you might see in simple descriptions of people. It means wanting to do something big or good in the future. You can think of it like a 'big dream' for your job or school. For example, 'J'ai l'ambition d'apprendre le français' (I have the ambition to learn French). It is a feminine word, so we say 'une ambition'. At this level, just remember that it is a positive word for wanting to succeed. You don't need to use it in complex sentences yet. Just know that 'avoir de l'ambition' means you want to work hard to get a better life or a better job. It is similar to saying 'Je veux réussir' (I want to succeed). When you hear this word, think about someone who is not lazy and who has a plan for their future. It's a great word to use when you talk about why you are studying French!
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At the A2 level, you should start using 'ambition' to describe yourself or others in more detail. You can use it with the verb 'avoir' and the partitive article: 'Il a de l'ambition'. You can also use it to talk about specific goals using the preposition 'de': 'Mon ambition est de travailler en France'. At this level, it's important to know that it's a feminine noun (la/une). You might use it in a simple CV or during a basic job interview. It shows that you are motivated. You can also use adjectives like 'grande' or 'petite' to describe it. For example, 'C'est une grande ambition'. Remember that in French, being ambitious is usually good, but don't brag too much! It's a common word in stories about famous people or in news articles about new projects. Practice saying it with the 'sion' sound like 'see-on' at the end.
At the B1 level, 'ambition' becomes a tool for discussing personal development and career paths in more nuanced ways. You should be able to distinguish between 'avoir de l'ambition' and 'être ambitieux'. You can use the word to talk about social mobility or professional growth. For example, 'L'ambition est nécessaire pour évoluer dans cette entreprise'. You will also encounter the word in more abstract contexts, such as 'l'ambition d'un film' (the scope/goal of a film). You should start using related verbs like 'nourrir' (to nourish/harbor) or 'afficher' (to display) with ambition. You might also discuss the lack of ambition: 'Il manque d'ambition, ce qui est dommage pour sa carrière'. At this level, you can participate in debates about whether ambition is always a good thing or if it can lead to stress. It's a key word for expressing your 'projets d'avenir' (future plans) with more sophistication than just using the word 'vouloir'.
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At the B2 level, you are expected to understand the societal and philosophical implications of 'ambition'. You can discuss how French society views ambition compared to other cultures. You should be comfortable using the word in formal writing, such as an 'essai' or a 'lettre de motivation'. You can use complex structures like 'Une ambition à la mesure de ses talents' (An ambition commensurate with his talents). You will also recognize the word in political contexts, where it refers to the scale of public policies (e.g., 'l'ambition du gouvernement pour le climat'). You should be aware of the potential negative connotations, such as 'l'ambition démesurée' (excessive ambition) or 'l'ambition aveugle' (blind ambition). You can use synonyms like 'aspiration' or 'visée' to avoid repetition. At this level, you can analyze characters in literature or films based on their ambitions and how those ambitions drive the plot or lead to their downfall.
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At the C1 level, 'ambition' is used with high precision and stylistic variety. You can explore the etymological roots (from Latin 'ambitio') and how they influence modern usage. You might use the word in academic or professional critiques to describe the 'envergure' (scope) of a research project or a business strategy. You should be able to use idiomatic expressions and literary collocations, such as 'dévoré par l'ambition' (consumed by ambition). You can discuss the tension between individual ambition and collective well-being in philosophical terms. Your usage should reflect an understanding of register; for instance, knowing when to use 'prétention' as a pejorative alternative. You can also use the word to describe artistic movements or architectural feats: 'L'ambition architecturale de ce bâtiment est frappante'. At this level, your command of the word allows you to express subtle shades of meaning, such as the difference between a 'vaine ambition' (vain ambition) and a 'noble ambition'.
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At the C2 level, you possess a total mastery of 'ambition' and its place in the French linguistic and cultural heritage. You can use it in highly sophisticated contexts, such as literary analysis, political philosophy, or high-level diplomacy. You understand the historical evolution of the word, from its political origins in Rome to its role in the 19th-century French novel (e.g., Balzac or Stendhal, where ambition is a central theme). You can employ the word with irony, sarcasm, or profound gravity. You are capable of using rare collocations and archaic or highly formal structures. Your speech and writing can play with the word's connotations to influence an audience or to provide a deep psychological portrait of a person. You can discuss 'l'ambition' as a concept in the works of French thinkers, analyzing how it relates to power, desire, and the human condition. At this level, the word is not just a vocabulary item but a conceptual tool that you can manipulate with elegance and precision in any communicative situation.
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練習する 例文 メモとヒント

ambition 30秒で

  • Ambition is the inner drive to achieve success and high goals.
  • It is a feminine noun in French (la/une ambition) and often used with 'avoir'.
  • While generally positive, it can sometimes imply ruthlessness if excessive.
  • Essential for professional contexts and discussing future personal growth.

The French word ambition is a multifaceted noun that primarily describes a profound and persistent desire to achieve success, distinction, or a specific goal. At its core, it represents the internal engine that drives an individual toward self-improvement and external recognition. In French culture, the concept of ambition is often viewed through a lens of balance; while it is respected as a catalyst for progress, it is sometimes scrutinized if it appears to override social cohesion or humility. Unlike some English contexts where ambition might strictly imply professional climbing, the French ambition can apply to artistic mastery, intellectual depth, or personal character development.

Core Essence
A psychological state of being oriented toward a future objective that requires effort and perseverance.
Societal Value
Often linked to the 'méritocratie' (meritocracy) where hard work is expected to lead to higher status.
Grammatical Gender
Feminine (la/une ambition), requiring agreement in adjectives: une grande ambition.

Son ambition démesurée l'a poussé à travailler jour et nuit pour obtenir ce poste de direction.

— Example of professional drive

Historically, the word derives from the Latin ambitio, which referred to the 'going around' of candidates for office in Rome to solicit votes. This etymological root highlights the active, social, and sometimes competitive nature of the word. In modern French, we distinguish between 'avoir de l'ambition' (having ambition) and 'être ambitieux' (being ambitious). The former focuses on the quality itself, while the latter describes the person's character. It is important to note that 'ambition' can be singular or plural, though the singular is far more common when discussing the general trait.

Elle a l'ambition de devenir une pianiste de renommée mondiale.

Positive Connotation
Determination, vision, courage, and the will to transcend one's current circumstances.
Negative Connotation
Greed, ruthlessness, or a 'parvenu' attitude where one seeks status without substance.

L'ambition est le moteur de l'innovation dans les entreprises technologiques.

When we talk about 'manquer d'ambition' (lacking ambition), it suggests a certain passivity or satisfaction with the status quo that might be viewed as a missed opportunity. Conversely, 'nourrir une ambition' (to nourish an ambition) suggests a long-term cultivation of a dream. This word is essential for A2 learners because it appears frequently in job interviews, school evaluations, and literature. Understanding its weight helps in navigating professional French environments where goals are set and evaluated.

Sans ambition, il est difficile de surmonter les obstacles majeurs de la vie.

Synonymic Nuance
'Aspiration' is softer and more poetic; 'Ambition' is more concrete and action-oriented.

Quelle est votre principale ambition pour les cinq prochaines années ?

Using the word ambition correctly involves understanding its grammatical placement and the verbs it typically pairs with. As a feminine noun, it is preceded by la, une, or de l'. The most common construction is the verb avoir (to have). For example, 'Il a beaucoup d'ambition.' Note that when quantifying ambition, we use 'de' after the adverb of quantity (beaucoup de, peu d', trop d'). This is a common stumbling block for A2 learners who might try to say 'beaucoup d'ambition' incorrectly.

Common Verb Pairings
Avoir (to have), montrer (to show), nourrir (to nourish/harbor), freiner (to curb), satisfaire (to satisfy).
Prepositional Links
Ambition de + infinitive (ambition de voyager); Ambition pour + noun (ambition pour son pays).

Il ne faut pas avoir peur de montrer son ambition lors d'un entretien d'embauche.

In a sentence, ambition often acts as the direct object of a verb or the subject of a sentence describing a drive. When it is the subject, it often takes verbs like pousser (to push) or guider (to guide). For instance, 'Son ambition la pousse à se surpasser.' This personification of ambition as a force that 'pushes' someone is very common in French rhetoric. It's also important to distinguish between 'ambition' and 'projet'. A 'projet' is a specific plan, while 'ambition' is the underlying desire that fuels the project.

C'est une femme d'ambition qui sait ce qu'elle veut.

Adjective Placement
Usually follows the noun: une ambition politique, une ambition personnelle, une ambition noble.

When discussing the lack of ambition, the phrase 'manquer d'ambition' is the standard. 'Il manque d'ambition' implies he is lazy or uninspired. In a more formal or literary context, you might see 'l'ambition me prend' (ambition takes hold of me), though this is less common in daily speech. For A2 learners, focus on the 'Avoir + de l' + ambition' structure as it is the most versatile. You can also use it in the plural 'ses ambitions' when referring to multiple specific goals, such as 'Ses ambitions sont de voyager et d'apprendre le japonais.'

Mes ambitions professionnelles ont évolué avec le temps.

The word ambition is ubiquitous in various sectors of French life. You will most frequently encounter it in professional environments, educational settings, and political discourse. In the workplace, managers often discuss the 'ambition' of their teams or the 'ambition' of a project (meaning its scale and difficulty). During annual reviews (entretiens annuels), a common question might be: 'Quelles sont vos ambitions pour l'année à venir ?' This isn't just asking what you will do, but how you want to grow.

In the Office
Used to describe career paths, project scopes, and company visions.
In Schools
Teachers encourage students to have 'de l'ambition scolaire' to reach higher education.
In Politics
Often used to describe a candidate's 'ambition pour la France' or criticized as 'ambition personnelle'.

Le Premier ministre a présenté un plan avec une grande ambition écologique.

In French media, especially in talk shows or documentaries about successful people, ambition is a recurring theme. You'll hear phrases like 'un jeune plein d'ambition' (a young person full of ambition). In sports commentary, it's used to describe a team's goal for the season: 'L'ambition du club est de gagner le championnat.' It carries a sense of legitimate aspiration here. However, in cinema or literature, 'l'ambition' is often a tragic flaw (un défaut fatal) that leads to a character's downfall, similar to the concept of hubris.

Ce film raconte l'ambition dévorante d'un artiste prêt à tout pour la gloire.

Daily Conversation
Used more sparingly; friends might ask about your 'projets' rather than your 'ambitions' unless the topic is serious.

Interestingly, in the startup world (la French Tech), 'ambition' is a buzzword. It's associated with 'scaling' and 'disruption'. You might hear founders say, 'Notre ambition est de devenir le leader européen.' Here, it signifies a bold, quantifiable business goal. For a learner, hearing 'ambition' usually signals that the speaker is talking about the future, growth, or a significant challenge. It is rarely used for trivial things like 'my ambition is to eat a sandwich,' which would sound sarcastically grand.

Il y a une différence entre avoir de l'ambition et être prétentieux.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make with ambition is assuming it has the exact same social weight as in English. While the meaning is identical, the 'vibe' can differ. In French, calling someone 'ambitieux' (ambitious) can sometimes be a backhanded compliment, implying they are 'arriviste' (a social climber). To avoid this, it's often safer to say someone is 'dynamique' or 'passionné' if you want to be 100% positive. However, the noun ambition itself is generally neutral to positive.

Gender Error
Saying 'le ambition' instead of 'l'ambition' (feminine). Adjectives must be feminine: 'grande ambition', not 'grand ambition'.
Preposition Error
Using 'pour' when 'de' is required. Incorrect: 'J'ai l'ambition pour réussir'. Correct: 'J'ai l'ambition de réussir'.

✗ Il a un grand ambition.
✓ Il a une grande ambition.

Another mistake is confusing 'ambition' with 'prétention'. While 'ambition' is the desire to achieve, 'prétention' is the belief that one is already superior or deserving of more than they have earned. If you say 'Il a des prétentions,' it sounds much more negative than 'Il a des ambitions.' Additionally, learners often forget the 'de l'' when using the verb 'avoir'. You should say 'Il a de l'ambition' (partitive article) rather than 'Il a ambition,' which is grammatically incomplete.

Elle ne manque pas d'ambition, mais elle reste humble.

Plural vs Singular
Learners often use the plural 'ambitions' when the singular 'ambition' (the concept) is more appropriate. Use plural only for a list of specific goals.

Finally, watch out for the pronunciation. The 't' in 'ambition' is pronounced like an 's' (/sjɔ̃/), not like a 't'. This is a rule for most French words ending in '-tion' (like nation, station, attention). If you pronounce it with a hard 't', it will be difficult for native speakers to understand you quickly. Practice the nasal 'on' at the end to ensure clarity. Remember: am-bi-si-on.

L'ambition sans talent est comme un oiseau sans ailes.

To truly master ambition, it helps to understand its 'neighbors' in the French vocabulary. Several words share a semantic field but carry different nuances. For instance, aspiration is a very close synonym but is often used for spiritual, artistic, or high-minded goals. You might have an 'aspiration à la paix' (aspiration for peace), whereas 'ambition' is more likely to be used for 'ambition de devenir PDG' (ambition to become CEO).

Aspiration
More noble, poetic, or idealistic. Often used for collective goals.
Objectif
Concrete, measurable, and professional. 'Mon objectif est de finir ce rapport'.
Velléité
A weak or fleeting desire. The opposite of a strong ambition.

Ses aspirations sont plus spirituelles que matérielles.

Another important word is détermination. While ambition is the *goal* or the *desire*, détermination is the *willpower* used to get there. You can have ambition without determination (you're a dreamer), or determination without ambition (you work hard but have no specific destination). Then there is zèle (zeal), which refers to an intense, sometimes excessive, enthusiasm for a cause or task. It's more about the *way* you work than the *goal* you have.

Il a l'ambition de réussir, mais manque de détermination pour étudier.

Rêve (Dream)
Less formal than ambition. 'Mon rêve est de voyager'.
Prétention
Often used negatively to mean 'claiming to be something one is not'.

In a professional context, you might also hear envergure. This refers to the 'scale' or 'breadth' of someone's talent or a project's scope. 'Un projet d'envergure' is a project with high ambition. Understanding these synonyms allows you to vary your language and express exactly how 'ambitious' a person or idea is. For an A2 learner, sticking to 'ambition' and 'objectif' is usually sufficient, but recognizing 'aspiration' in reading will greatly help comprehension.

C'est un projet d'une grande envergure qui demande beaucoup d'ambition.

How Formal Is It?

難易度

知っておくべき文法

Gender of -tion nouns

Partitive articles (de l')

Prepositions with infinitives (de)

Adjective agreement

Quantity adverbs (beaucoup de)

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レベル別の例文

1

J'ai une grande ambition.

I have a big ambition.

Feminine noun: une ambition.

2

Son ambition est de parler français.

His ambition is to speak French.

Ambition + est + de + infinitive.

3

Elle a de l'ambition pour l'école.

She has ambition for school.

Avoir + de l' + ambition.

4

C'est une bonne ambition.

It is a good ambition.

Adjective 'bonne' agrees with feminine 'ambition'.

5

Il n'a pas d'ambition.

He has no ambition.

Negative: pas de + noun.

6

Quelle est ton ambition ?

What is your ambition?

Interrogative: Quelle (feminine).

7

L'ambition aide à travailler.

Ambition helps to work.

Subject of the sentence.

8

Mon ami a beaucoup d'ambition.

My friend has a lot of ambition.

Beaucoup de + noun.

1

Elle a l'ambition de devenir médecin.

She has the ambition to become a doctor.

L'ambition de + infinitive.

2

C'est un jeune homme plein d'ambition.

He is a young man full of ambition.

Plein de + noun.

3

Il travaille dur par ambition.

He works hard out of ambition.

Par + noun (reason).

4

Mes ambitions professionnelles sont simples.

My professional ambitions are simple.

Plural: Mes ambitions.

5

Elle ne manque pas d'ambition.

She does not lack ambition.

Manquer de + noun.

6

L'ambition est importante pour réussir.

Ambition is important to succeed.

General statement.

7

Nous partageons la même ambition.

We share the same ambition.

Direct object.

8

Son ambition la pousse à étudier.

Her ambition pushes her to study.

Verb 'pousser' (to push).

1

Il nourrit l'ambition de créer sa propre entreprise.

He harbors the ambition to start his own business.

Nourrir l'ambition (to harbor/nourish).

2

L'ambition peut être un moteur puissant.

Ambition can be a powerful engine.

Metaphorical usage.

3

Elle a dû freiner son ambition pour sa famille.

She had to curb her ambition for her family.

Freiner (to curb/brake).

4

C'est un projet d'une grande ambition technique.

It is a project of great technical ambition.

Describing a project.

5

Son ambition personnelle passe avant tout.

His personal ambition comes before everything.

Passe avant (comes before).

6

Il a réalisé ses ambitions d'enfance.

He realized his childhood ambitions.

Réaliser (to realize/achieve).

7

L'ambition démesurée peut être dangereuse.

Excessive ambition can be dangerous.

Adjective 'démesurée'.

8

Elle affiche clairement son ambition politique.

She clearly displays her political ambition.

Afficher (to display/show).

1

L'ambition de ce traité est de réduire la pollution.

The ambition of this treaty is to reduce pollution.

Ambition used for an abstract goal.

2

Il a sacrifié ses amis à son ambition.

He sacrificed his friends to his ambition.

Sacrifier à (to sacrifice to).

3

Une saine ambition est nécessaire au progrès.

A healthy ambition is necessary for progress.

Saine (healthy) as an adjective.

4

Elle a l'ambition de révolutionner le secteur.

She has the ambition to revolutionize the sector.

Révolutionner (to revolutionize).

5

Son ambition est à la hauteur de son talent.

His ambition is equal to his talent.

À la hauteur de (commensurate with).

6

Le manque d'ambition bride la créativité.

The lack of ambition stifles creativity.

Brider (to stifle/restrain).

7

Il est porté par une ambition sans faille.

He is carried by a flawless ambition.

Porté par (carried/driven by).

8

L'ambition collective doit primer sur l'individuelle.

Collective ambition must take precedence over the individual.

Primer sur (to take precedence over).

1

L'ambition est souvent le dernier refuge de l'échec.

Ambition is often the last refuge of failure.

Philosophical quote style.

2

Elle a assouvi son ambition au prix de sa santé.

She satisfied her ambition at the cost of her health.

Assouvir (to satisfy/quench).

3

Cette œuvre témoigne d'une ambition esthétique rare.

This work bears witness to a rare aesthetic ambition.

Témoigner de (to bear witness to).

4

Il déguise son ambition sous des dehors modestes.

He disguises his ambition under a modest exterior.

Sous des dehors (under the appearance of).

5

L'ambition dévorante est un thème récurrent chez Balzac.

Devouring ambition is a recurring theme in Balzac's work.

Literary context.

6

Sa soif d'ambition semble inextinguible.

His thirst for ambition seems unquenchable.

Soif d'ambition (thirst for ambition).

7

L'ambition n'est point un vice pour qui réussit.

Ambition is not at all a vice for those who succeed.

Formal 'point' instead of 'pas'.

8

Elle a su concilier ambition et éthique.

She knew how to reconcile ambition and ethics.

Concilier (to reconcile).

1

L'ambition, ce levier des grandes âmes, peut aussi être leur perte.

Ambition, that lever of great souls, can also be their undoing.

Apposition and rhetorical style.

2

Il s'est frayé un chemin à la force de son ambition.

He carved out a path by the strength of his ambition.

Se frayer un chemin (to carve a path).

3

L'ambition politique se heurte souvent à la réalité du terrain.

Political ambition often clashes with the reality on the ground.

Se heurter à (to clash with).

4

L'ambition est le sel de la vie, mais trop de sel gâte le plat.

Ambition is the salt of life, but too much salt spoils the dish.

Proverbial/Metaphorical.

5

Elle a transcendé ses origines par une ambition farouche.

She transcended her origins through a fierce ambition.

Farouche (fierce/wild).

6

L'ambition de l'esprit surpasse celle du corps.

The ambition of the mind surpasses that of the body.

Comparison of abstract concepts.

7

Il a sacrifié son repos sur l'autel de l'ambition.

He sacrificed his rest on the altar of ambition.

Metaphorical 'sur l'autel de'.

8

L'ambition est un désir qui ne connaît point de trêve.

Ambition is a desire that knows no truce.

High literary register.

よく使う組み合わせ

avoir de l'ambition
manquer d'ambition
nourrir une ambition
ambition démesurée
ambition professionnelle
pleine d'ambition
servir son ambition
freiner l'ambition
grande ambition
ambition politique

よく使うフレーズ

C'est une femme d'ambition.
Il a l'ambition de réussir.
Quelles sont vos ambitions ?
Sans ambition, on ne va nulle part.
L'ambition lui monte à la tête.
C'est un projet sans ambition.
Il a des ambitions secrètes.
L'ambition est un moteur.
Elle ne manque pas d'ambition.
Une ambition à long terme.

よく混同される語

ambition vs prétention

ambition vs aspiration

ambition vs envie

慣用句と表現

"L'ambition dévorante"
"Avoir les dents longues"
"Vouloir décrocher la lune"
"Viser haut"
"Être né sous une bonne étoile"
"Se faire une place au soleil"
"Brûler les étapes"
"Avoir soif de pouvoir"
"Vendre son âme au diable"
"Prendre son envol"

間違えやすい

ambition vs Ambitieux

ambition vs Prétentieux

ambition vs Aspiration

ambition vs Objectif

ambition vs Velléité

文型パターン

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使い方

nuance

Ambition is more active than a simple 'wish' (souhait).

preposition

Always use 'de' before an infinitive.

よくある間違い
  • Using 'le' instead of 'la'.
  • Pronouncing the 't' as a hard 't'.
  • Forgetting the 'de' in 'avoir de l'ambition'.
  • Confusing it with 'prétention'.
  • Using 'pour' instead of 'de' before a verb.

ヒント

Gender Rule

Nouns ending in -tion are almost always feminine. Remember 'la' ambition.

Verb Choice

Use 'nourrir' (to nourish) for a long-held dream or ambition.

The Nasal 'ON'

The final 'on' should not have a clear 'n' sound. It's nasal.

Be Humble

French people value ambition but dislike arrogance. Show, don't just tell.

CV Tip

Use 'ambition' to describe your career trajectory in a cover letter.

Interview

When asked about ambitions, focus on how they benefit the company too.

Context Clues

If you hear 'réussir', 'travail', or 'futur', 'ambition' is likely the topic.

Visual Link

Imagine a person climbing a ladder toward a star.

Variety

Use 'objectifs' for short-term and 'ambition' for long-term goals.

Preposition

Don't say 'ambition pour faire', say 'ambition de faire'.

暗記しよう

語源

Latin 'ambitio'

文化的な背景

Ambition is the fuel for the competitive 'concours' system.

Excessive ambition can be seen as 'arrivisme', which is negative.

In French companies, ambition is expected but should be paired with competence.

実生活で練習する

実際の使用場面

会話のきっかけ

"Quelle était ton ambition quand tu étais enfant ?"

"Est-ce que l'ambition est nécessaire pour être heureux ?"

"As-tu l'ambition de voyager autour du monde ?"

"Peut-on avoir trop d'ambition ?"

"Quelle est l'ambition de ton entreprise ?"

日記のテーマ

Décrivez votre plus grande ambition pour l'année prochaine.

L'ambition est-elle une qualité ou un défaut selon vous ?

Comment votre ambition a-t-elle changé avec l'âge ?

Qui est la personne la plus ambitieuse que vous connaissez ?

Quels sont les obstacles à votre ambition actuelle ?

よくある質問

10 問

It is feminine: une ambition.

Avoir de l'ambition.

Yes, if it is 'démesurée' (excessive), it can imply greed.

Ambition is more practical/professional; aspiration is more idealistic.

Like 'see-on' with a nasal 'on'.

Usually, but it can sometimes mean someone is too aggressive.

Usually 'de' (e.g., l'ambition de réussir).

It's better for big, long-term goals.

Yes, 'ambitionner', but 'avoir l'ambition de' is more common.

Le manque d'ambition.

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