German word

Bestrebung

Pronunciation

IPA/bəˈʃtʁeːbʊŋ/

Meaning

  • feminine nouneffort

Example

Seine Bestrebungen haben sich ausgezahlt.

His efforts have paid off.

Illustration for Bestrebung (effort)

More examples

Trotz Rückschlägen hält sie an ihren Bestrebungen fest.

Despite setbacks, she sticks to her endeavors.

Core concept

A sustained drive directed along a path toward a desired result.

Common phrases

  • gemeinsame Bestrebungen

    common endeavors

  • langfristige Bestrebungen

    long-term endeavors

  • berufliche Bestrebungen

    career-related endeavors

Similar words

Bemühung: Persistent effort made to achieve a specific purpose.
Anstrengung: Strong physical or mental exertion to accomplish something.
Streben: Long-term striving toward an important goal.
Versuch: A single attempt made to see what result it produces.

Definition in German

Anhaltende Bemühung, ein bestimmtes Ziel zu erreichen.

Word origin

The noun Bestrebung derives from bestreben, built from be- and streben, a Germanic verb related to English strive, plus -ung.

Usage tips

  • The plural Bestrebungen is frequent when referring to a person's aims or organized efforts, whereas the singular denotes one such pursuit.

Other meanings

  • endeavornoun
  • pursuitnoun

Opposites

  • Resignationresignationnoun
  • Gleichgültigkeitindifferencenoun

Related words

  • Bestrebenpursuitnoun
  • bestrebenendeavorverb
  • bestrebenswertworth pursuingadjective

Word lists with this word