noun HSK 5
spear · lance · pike
Meaning
矛 refers to an ancient Chinese pole weapon with a pointed blade, used primarily for thrusting in warfare. It represents one of the oldest weapons in Chinese military history and appears frequently in classical literature and historical texts.
Usage
In modern Chinese, 矛 is mostly seen in literary contexts, historical discussions, or idioms. The most famous usage is in the chengyu 自相矛盾 (zì xiāng máo dùn), meaning 'to contradict oneself.' As a standalone word, it's less common in everyday conversation but appears in discussions of ancient warfare or classical culture.
Examples
- 01古代士兵常常使用矛作为主要武器。.Ancient soldiers often used spears as their primary weapon.
- 02他的说法自相矛盾，让人难以相信。, .His statements contradict each other, making them hard to believe.
Measure words
- 支一支矛
- 把一把矛
Common collocations
- 矛盾contradiction, conflict
- 长矛long spear
- 自相矛盾self-contradictory
Antonyms
Origin
The character 矛 is a pictograph depicting an ancient spear. The top portion represents the spearhead while the lower part suggests the shaft or handle.