tilstræbe

Tilstræbe is a Danish verb meaning to strive to achieve something or to endeavour to reach a goal. It denotes deliberate, ongoing effort to attain a desired outcome and is commonly used in both formal and everyday language. The verb is typically followed by an infinitive clause introduced by at, as in tilstræbe at forbedre sin præstation or tilstræbe at opnå højere kvalitet. It can also be used with a direct object to indicate a goal, though in practice it is more frequent with a following infinitive.

Etymology and related forms: Tilstræbe is formed from til- meaning toward and stræbe meaning to strive, reflecting a sense of aiming toward a goal. It is cognate with Norwegian tilstrebe and Swedish tillsträva, mirroring shared Scandinavian roots.

Usage: The term is relatively formal and often appears in official reports, policy documents, or strategic discourse, but it also occurs in ordinary speech when a precise or elevated register is desired. A common, more everyday alternative is stræbe efter, which uses the preposition efter to express the same idea of striving for a goal.

Examples:

- Virksomheden tilstræber at reducere sine CO2-udledninger inden 2030.

- Han tilstræber at blive universitetslærer.

- Politikken tilstræber at forbedre lighed og effektivitet.

Noun form: tilstræbelse, meaning aspiration or striving. See also: stræbe, tilstræbe efter, tilstræbelse.