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矛盾 (máo dùn) — (noun) contradiction; conflict; inconsistency; (adjective) contradictory; conflicting; (verb) to contradict (oneself); to be inconsistent

Definition

矛盾 (máodùn) covers both the noun 'contradiction' between two things and the verb/adjective 'to contradict / contradictory.' Lighter and broader than 抵触 (a sharper 'to conflict'); describes inconsistency itself, not fickleness like 朝三暮四.

noun
contradictionconflictinconsistency
adjective
contradictoryconflicting
verb
to contradict (oneself)to be inconsistent
Measure word · 个

Examples

  • 矛盾。
    Zhè liǎng gè rén de guān diǎn cún zài máo dùn.
    There is a contradiction between these two people's viewpoints.
  • 矛盾，。
    Tā de shuō fǎ qián hòu máo dùn, ràng rén hěn nán xiāng xìn.
    His statements are contradictory — it's hard to believe him.
  • 矛盾。
    Nǐ gāng cái de fā yán máo dùn le nǐ zì jǐ de kàn fǎ.
    Your speech just now contradicted your own views.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

矛máospear
盾dùnshield

矛盾 pairs 矛, spear, and 盾, shield, to name a clash between opposing things.

Characters in this word

No reliable origin is recorded for this character.

Open 矛 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

盾 originally drew a shield, so the shape is a picture of that object.

Open 盾 →
Appears in
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