erstreben

Erstreben is a transitive German verb meaning to strive for or to endeavour to obtain something; to pursue a goal with effort. The prefix er- combined with streben gives a sense of aiming for a specific outcome and often implies deliberate, sometimes long-term effort. The term is most common in formal, literary, or legal contexts, and appears with a direct object in the accusative.

Etymology and usage notes: Erstreben is formed from er- plus streben (to strive). It is used to describe the active pursuit of a desired result, frequently describing political, social, or organizational aims as well as personal goals.

Grammar: The verb takes a direct object in the accusative, with the target of the striving expressed as what is being sought. Examples: Der Staat erstrebt eine nachhaltige wirtschaftliche Entwicklung. Sie erstrebte einen besseren Zustand der Schule. In contemporary prose it appears mainly in formal registers; in everyday speech, phrases like streben nach are more common.

Nuance and related terms: Erstreben emphasizes a purposeful, sometimes idealistic or planned pursuit of a concrete objective. It is closely related to anstreben (to aim for) and streben nach (to strive for, in a more general sense). While anstreben is common in everyday language, erstreben tends to appear in official, ceremonial, or literary contexts.

See also: Streben, anstreben, Streben nach, Ziele und Zielsetzung.