Chinese word

矛盾

Pronunciation

Pinyinmáo dùn

Meaning

  • nouncontradiction

Example

他的说法有矛盾，需要澄清。tā de shuō fǎ yǒu máo dùn xū yào chéng qīng

His statement contains a contradiction and needs clarification.

Illustration for 矛盾 (contradiction)

More examples

合同条款之间存在矛盾，双方需要协商。hé tóng tiáo kuǎn zhī jiān cún zài máo dùn shuāng fāng xū yào xié shāng

There are contradictions between the contract terms, so both sides need to negotiate.

Core concept

Two sides of an idea, fact, or attitude push against each other so that they cannot both stand.

Common phrases

  • 存在矛盾cún zài máo dùn

    there are contradictions

  • 矛盾加剧máo dùn jiā jù

    contradictions grow more serious

  • 缓和矛盾huǎn hé máo dùn

    ease contradictions

Similar words

冲突chōng tū: A clash between actions, opinions, or interests that pull in different directions.
对立duì lì: An opposing relationship in which positions or attitudes are completely incompatible.
分歧fēn qí: A split in views about an issue that leaves people with different positions.

Definition in Chinese

指两个或多个陈述、事实或态度之间互相抵触，无法同时成立的情况。zhǐ liǎng gè huò duō gè chén shù shì shí huò tài dù zhī jiān hù xiāng dǐ chù wú fǎ tóng shí chéng lì de qíng kuàng

Word origin

The pairing 矛 (máo, "spear") + 盾 (dùn, "shield") recalls a story of a seller claiming that his spear pierces every shield and his shield stops every spear, an impossible pair of claims.

Usage tips

  • A speaker's own account can contain this problem; the issue is whether the details fit, not necessarily whether people are quarrelling.

Other meanings

  • inconsistencynoun
  • conflictnoun

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word