自相矛盾 (zì xiāng máo dùn) — self-contradictory; contradictory in one's own statements or actions
Definition
A chengyu describing words or actions that clash with each other within the SAME statement or stance — literal "spear vs. shield," like the ancient parable. Unlike 不符 (mismatch between two things), it points to internal contradiction in one source.
phrase
self-contradictorycontradictory in one's own statements or actions
Examples
- 自相矛盾，？Nǐ gāng cái shuō de huà qián hòu zì xiāng máo dùn, dào dǐ nǎ ge shì zhēn de?What you just said is self-contradictory — which part is true?
- 自相矛盾，。Zhè piān lùn wén de guān diǎn zì xiāng máo dùn, quē fá yán jǐn de luó ji.The viewpoint in this paper is self-contradictory and lacks rigorous logic.
- 自相矛盾，。Tā de xíng wéi zì xiāng máo dùn, yì biān tí chàng huán bǎo yì biān dà liàng shǐ yòng sù liào.His behavior is contradictory — promoting environmental protection while using lots of plastic.
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