自相矛盾

zìxiāng-máodùn

idiom HSK 7-9 #19,072

Meanings

1 to contradict oneself
2 self-contradictory

Characters

mutually; each other

Examples

他的说法前后自相矛盾。

Tā de shuōfǎ qiánhòu zìxiāngmáodùn.

His statements contradict each other.

这个计划本身就自相矛盾。

Zhège jìhuà běnshēn jiù zìxiāngmáodùn.

This plan is inherently self-contradictory.

Tips

history

From a story in 韩非子: a merchant boasted his spear (矛) could pierce anything and his shield (盾) could block anything. When asked what happens if the spear hits the shield, he had no answer.

Stroke Order

自 zì

相 xiāng

矛 máo

盾 dùn