Japanese word

矛盾

Pronunciation

Romajimujun

Meaning

  • nouncontradiction

Example

この説明には矛盾があります。ko no setsu mei ni wa mu jun ga a ri ma su

There is a contradiction in this explanation.

Illustration for 矛盾 (contradiction)

More examples

この計画にはいくつかの矛盾が残っています。ko no kei kaku ni wa i ku tsu ka no mu jun ga noko tte i ma su

Several contradictions remain in this plan.

Core concept

Expresses a mismatch between statements, facts, or conditions that prevents them from fitting together as one consistent whole.

Common phrases

  • 矛盾がありますmu jun ga a ri ma su

    There is a contradiction

  • 矛盾を指摘するmu jun o shi teki su ru

    point out a contradiction

  • 矛盾を解消するmu jun o kai shō su ru

    resolve a contradiction

  • 矛盾を含むmu jun o fuku mu

    contain a contradiction

Similar words

食い違いkuichigai: A difference between what is said, expected, or observed that causes a lack of agreement.
齟齬sogo: A discrepancy that arises when statements, intentions, or arrangements fail to correspond.
不整合fuseigō: A condition in which parts of an argument, system, or set of data do not fit logically together.

Definition in Japanese

複数の事柄や主張が互いに食い違い、両立しない状態。fuku sū no koto gara ya shu chō ga taga i ni ku i chiga i ryō ritsu shi na i jō tai

Word origin

矛盾 (mujun) is a Sino-Japanese compound of 矛 (mu, "spear") and 盾 (jun, "shield"), based on a Chinese tale of a merchant whose claims about his spear and shield could not both be true.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Japanese, 矛盾 (mujun) can describe not only opposing statements but also a gap between a person's words and actions, which makes it useful in many conversations.

Other meanings

  • inconsistencynoun
  • conflictnoun

Opposites

  • 整合性seigōseiconsistencynoun
  • 一致itchiagreementnoun

Related words

  • 矛盾するmujunsurucontradictverb
  • 矛盾性mujunseicontradictory naturenoun

Word lists with this word