抱负 (bào fù) is a formal noun meaning 'ambition'—especially a strong, principled, and often lofty goal one aspires to achieve in life or career. Literally, 抱 means 'to hold' or 'to embrace', and 负 means 'to bear' or 'to shoulder'; together, they evoke the image of 'holding and shouldering a great purpose', suggesting deep personal commitment and responsibility toward one's goals.

This word is commonly used in contexts involving personal development, education, leadership, or social contribution. It carries positive connotations of idealism, determination, and moral seriousness—more elevated than the neutral 想法 (idea) or colloquial 志向 (aspiration), and less self-centered than 野心 (ambition, sometimes with negative overtones). 抱负 frequently appears in speeches, essays, biographies, and discussions about youth, career planning, or national progress.