German word

anstreben

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈanˌʃtreːbən/

Meaning

  • verbaim for

Example

Wir streben ein gemeinsames Ziel an.

We are aiming for a common goal.

Illustration for anstreben (aim for)

More examples

Viele junge Menschen streben eine Karriere an.

Many young people are aiming for a career.

Core concept

A planned route leads steadily toward a desired destination through purposeful action.

Common phrases

  • streben eine Karriere an

    aim for a career

  • streben ein Ziel an

    aim for a goal

Similar words

anvisieren: Choosing a target or endpoint and planning toward it.
wollen: Desire or intention to bring about a particular result.
sich bemühen: Active effort made to fulfill a specific aim.
anpeilen: Setting a destination or deadline as the point to reach.

Definition in German

Auf ein Ziel zugehen und dafür gezielt Anstrengungen unternehmen.

Word origin

Anstreben is a German formation from an- and streben, whose older Germanic sense is to exert oneself or strive, with an- specifying the intended goal.

Usage tips

  • Anstreben takes the goal as an accusative object, while 'nach etwas streben' uses a preposition and is a different construction.

Other meanings

  • aspire toverb
  • pursueverb

Opposites

Related words

  • das Strebenstrivingnoun
  • das Anstrebenaiming fornoun
  • angestrebtaimed foradjective

Word lists with this word