自相矛盾
自相矛盾 (zì xiāng máo dùn) literally means “spear shield contradict self” and expresses “contradict oneself”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving wisdom and learning. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: zi xiang mao dun, zi xiang mao dun,自相矛盾 meaning, 自相矛盾 in english
Contradict oneself
Pronunciation: zì xiāng máo dùn
Literal meaning: Spear shield contradict self
Origin & Usage
This idiom originates from a famous logical paradox in the Han Feizi, where a merchant claimed to have a spear (矛) that could pierce anything and a shield (盾) that could block anything - creating a self (自) contradicting (相) claim. The story became a classic example in Chinese logical discourse, used to expose inconsistent arguments. During the Song Dynasty, it became a standard term in philosophical debates. Modern usage extends beyond logic to any self-defeating behavior or inherently inconsistent policy, from corporate strategies to personal life choices.
Examples
English: "The policy's conflicting requirements made implementation impossible"
Chinese: 政策中相互矛盾的要求使得实施变得不可能
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 自相矛盾 mean in English?
自相矛盾 (zì xiāng máo dùn) literally translates to “Spear shield contradict self” and is used to express “Contradict oneself”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Wisdom & Learning category.
When is 自相矛盾 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving contradict oneself.
What is the pinyin for 自相矛盾?
The pinyin pronunciation for 自相矛盾 is “zì xiāng máo dùn”.