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noun / adjective HSK 5
máo dùn
contradiction · conflicting · inconsistent

Meaning

矛盾 refers to contradictions, conflicts, or inconsistencies between ideas, statements, or situations. It can describe logical contradictions, interpersonal conflicts, or internal struggles. As an adjective, it means contradictory or conflicting.

Usage

Commonly used in both formal writing and everyday speech to describe incompatible ideas or conflicting interests. Often appears in phrases like 内心矛盾 (inner conflict) or 矛盾的心情 (conflicting feelings). In academic or political contexts, it describes contradictions in theories or social issues.

Examples

  1. 01
    他的话前后矛盾，让人无法相信。
    Tā de huà qián hòu máo dùn, ràng rén wú fǎ xiāng xìn.
    His words are contradictory, making it impossible to believe him.
  2. 02
    现代社会存在着经济发展和环境保护之间的矛盾。
    Xiàn dài shè huì cún zài zhe jīng jì fā zhǎn hé huán jìng bǎo hù zhī jiān de máo dùn.
    Modern society faces contradictions between economic development and environmental protection.

Characters

Common collocations

  • 内心矛盾
    nèi xīn máo dùn
    inner conflict
  • 矛盾的心情
    máo dùn de xīn qíng
    conflicting feelings
  • 解决矛盾
    jiě jué máo dùn
    to resolve contradictions
  • 自相矛盾
    zì xiāng máo dùn
    self-contradictory

Antonyms

Origin

This word comes from an ancient Chinese fable about a merchant who claimed to sell both an unstoppable spear (矛) and an impenetrable shield (盾). When asked what would happen if his spear struck his shield, he couldn't answer, illustrating the concept of logical contradiction.

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