自相矛盾
zì xiāng máo dùn
to contradict yourself
Character by character
自zì
self
self
相xiāng
mutual
mutual
矛máo
spear
spear
盾dùn
shield
shield
Example
他前面说没时间，后面又说很闲，自相矛盾。
First he said he had no time, then that he was free; he contradicts himself.
Tone: negative (criticism).
Usage and origin
A man boasted that his spear pierced anything and his shield stopped anything. Someone asked what happened when one met the other. This is where 矛盾 comes from.
Learn this in Lesson 108 · HSK 7–9: 怎样把道理讲清楚 (Building an argument)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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