der  Ehrgeiz

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈeːʁɡaɪ̯ts/

🎯 What exactly does "der Ehrgeiz" mean?

Der Ehrgeiz (masculine) describes the strong ambition or striving for success, achievement, recognition, or goals. It's the inner drive to achieve more, improve oneself, or assert oneself against others. Ehrgeiz can be viewed both positively (as a driver for performance) and negatively (as ruthless striving).

It is an abstract noun, mostly used in the singular.

🧐 Grammar: Declension of Ehrgeiz

The noun Ehrgeiz is masculine. Here is the declension in the singular. The plural (die Ehrgeize) is very rare and usually only used to refer to specific ambitious goals or aspirations.

Note: In the dative singular, the older form "Ehrgeize" is also possible besides "Ehrgeiz", but less common.

💬 Example Sentences

1. Sein Ehrgeiz kannte keine Grenzen. (His ambition knew no bounds.)
2. Mit großem Ehrgeiz verfolgte sie ihre beruflichen Ziele. (She pursued her career goals with great ambition.)
3. Manchmal steht ihm sein eigener Ehrgeiz im Weg. (Sometimes his own ambition gets in his way.)
4. Der Mangel an Ehrgeiz hinderte ihn am Aufstieg. (The lack of ambition prevented him from advancing.)

💡 How "Ehrgeiz" is used

Ehrgeiz is often used in the context of work, sports, education, and personal goals. It describes a character trait.

• Positive Context: When someone is goal-oriented, motivated, and diligent. Example: "Ihr Ehrgeiz hat sie an die Spitze gebracht." (Her ambition took her to the top.)
• Negative Context: When the striving becomes excessive, ruthless, or obsessive. Example: "Sein blinder Ehrgeiz schadet seinen Beziehungen." (His blind ambition harms his relationships.)
• Distinction: Ehrgeiz is stronger than a mere wish or hope. It implies active striving and often competition. It differs from Fleiß (diligence) or Zielstrebigkeit (determination/focus on goals), although these traits often accompany Ehrgeiz.

🧠 Mnemonics for "der Ehrgeiz"

For the article (der): Think of "der man", "der winner" – ambitious people are often men (grammatically masculine link!). Or: Imagine Derek is very ambitious, he has much Ehrgeiz.

For the meaning (ambition): Imagine someone is greedy ('geizig' relates to Geiz) for honor (Ehre). Ehre + Geiz = Ehrgeiz (strong desire for honor/success).

↔️ Synonyms and Antonyms

⚠️ Caution: Geiz alone today usually means stinginess or avarice and is not synonymous with Ehrgeiz.

😂 A Little Joke

Warum hat der Wecker so viel Ehrgeiz?
Weil er jeden Morgen ganz nach oben will – auf dem Nachttisch! 😉

Translation: Why does the alarm clock have so much ambition (Ehrgeiz)? Because every morning it wants to get right to the top – of the nightstand!

📜 Ambition in Verse

Der Ehrgeiz, ein Feuer, mal heiß, mal lind,
treibt vorwärts das Menschenkind.
Nach Sternen greifen, hoch hinaus,
mal bringt er Segen, mal nur Graus.
Ein starker Wille, fest und klar,
macht Ziele greifbar, Jahr für Jahr.
Doch wer nur rennt, mit blindem Mut,
vergisst vielleicht, was wirklich ruht.

Translation: Ambition, a fire, sometimes hot, sometimes mild,
drives forward humankind, the child.
Reaching for stars, aiming high,
sometimes brings blessings, sometimes a cry.
A strong will, firm and clear,
makes goals tangible, year after year.
But those who just run, with blind might,
perhaps forget what truly rests right.

❓ A Little Riddle

Ich bin ein Motor, stark und laut,
\hab auf Erfolg und Ruhm gebaut.
Manchmal gesund, manchmal zu viel,
ich bringe dich oft an dein Ziel.
Ich wohne im Herzen, treibe dich an.

Wer oder was bin ich denn dann?

Translation:
I am an engine, strong and loud,
built on success and being proud.
Sometimes healthy, sometimes too much,
I often bring your goal in touch.
I live in the heart, I drive you on.

Who or what am I then, come on?

Solution: Der Ehrgeiz (Ambition)

🧩 Word Origin & Trivia

The word Ehrgeiz historically combines Ehre (honor) and Geiz (greed/stinginess, but originally also eagerness). It originally meant "greed for honor". While Geiz today is negatively understood as "stinginess", it used to have a broader meaning of "intense desire" or "eagerness". This older meaning still resonates in Ehrgeiz – the intense desire for honor, recognition, and success.