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矛盾 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
矛盾máodùncontradictionHSK 5, an, rank #3953, Hard
矛盾máodùn>个[gè]HSK 5, an, rank #3953, Hard
矛盾máodùnconflicting viewsHSK 5, an, rank #3953, Hard
矛盾máodùncontradictoryHSK 5, an, rank #3953, Hard
máodùn(mao2dun4) T2
  1. 1contradiction
  2. 2>个[gè]
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March 24, 2026
矛盾máodùn(mao2dun4)

矛盾 (máodùn) refers to a situation or statement that contains opposing elements, leading to conflict or contradiction. It is commonly used in both philosophical discussions and everyday situations where differing opinions or beliefs clash.

Frequency#3953DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

The concept of 矛盾 is deeply rooted in Chinese philosophy, particularly in the teachings of Daoism and Confucianism, where contradictions are often seen as essential to understanding the balance of life.

Memory Tip

Imagine a spear (矛, máo) and a shield (盾, dùn) facing each other in battle. The spear symbolizes an attack while the shield represents defense, creating a contradiction in their purpose. This imagery helps you remember both the pronunciation and the meaning of the word.

Meanings of 矛盾

máodùn(mao2dun4)
1contradiction
2conflicting views
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 矛盾

矛盾Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#3953Frequency Rank
个Measure Word
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2

Podcast: 矛盾

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Podcast: 矛盾

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AI Study Notes for 矛盾

Quick Contrast

对立 (duìlì) — use 矛盾 for contradictions involving conflict, while 对立 emphasizes oppositional relationships without necessarily implying conflict.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a spear (矛, máo) and a shield (盾, dùn) facing each other in battle. The spear symbolizes an attack while the shield represents defense, creating a contradiction in their purpose. This imagery helps you remember both the pronunciation and the meaning of the word.

Usage Notes

Be cautious not to confuse 矛盾 with similar terms like 冲突 (chōngtū), which means 'conflict'. 矛盾 can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's often found in discussions involving philosophy or logic. Watch out for the correct tones, as mispronouncing them can change the meaning.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 5 word, 矛盾 connects to other vocabulary related to argumentation and debate, such as 争论 (zhēnglùn, 'debate') and 意见 (yìjiàn, 'opinion'). Focus on using it in sentences to express contrasting viewpoints.

Cultural Note

The concept of 矛盾 is deeply rooted in Chinese philosophy, particularly in the teachings of Daoism and Confucianism, where contradictions are often seen as essential to understanding the balance of life.

Common Mistakes

Learners may confuse 矛盾 with 冲突, using them interchangeably. For example, saying '这两种观点有冲突' (Zhè liǎng zhǒng guāndiǎn yǒu chōngtū) is incorrect if you mean they are contradictory; it should be '这两种观点是矛盾的'.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 矛盾

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Component Characters

矛máospear
HSK 75 strokes矛
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盾dùnshield
HSK 79 strokes目
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Write 矛盾

矛
盾

Practice writing 矛盾 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 矛盾

矛盾 carries 4 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.

Related grammar lessons2
Exercise 1 of 2

Complete the Sentence

他们之间的____越来越深，甚至于连话都不愿意说了。

The conflict between them deepened to the point that they weren't even willing to speak to each other.

Example Sentences for 矛盾 (12)

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1
海关官员们对这种设备作出了一系列互相矛盾的陈述。

hǎi guān guān yuán mén duì zhè zhǒng shè bèi zuò chū le yī xì liè hù xiāng máo dùn de chén shù。

Customs officials have made a series of contradictory statements about the equipment.
2
全球性生态保护工作很可能会和地方生态系统存在矛盾。

quán qiú xìng shēng tài bǎo hù gōng zuò hěn kě néng huì hé dì fāng shēng tài xì tǒng cún zài máo dùn。

Global ecological efforts can easily be at odds with local ecologies.
3
组织内部严重失和反映出矛盾日趋升级。

zǔ zhī nèi bù yán zhòng shī hé fǎn yìng chū máo dùn rì qū shēng jí。

The rift within the organization reflects the growing bitterness of the dispute.
4
千百种矛盾的思想从他脑中掠过.

qiān bǎi zhǒng máo dùn de sī xiǎng cóng tā nǎo zhōng lüè guò.

A thousand conflicting thoughts rushed through his mind.
5
他的话矛盾百出.

tā de huà máo dùn bǎi chū.

His speech contained many contradictions.
6
矛盾的是，你手头的事越少，一旦有工作落在头上，你就越会愤愤不平。

máo dùn de shì， ， nǐ shǒu tóu de shì yuè， shǎo ， yī dàn yǒu gōng zuò luò zài， tóu shàng ， nǐ jiù yuè huì fèn。

Para-doxically, the less you have to do the more you may resent the work that does come your way.
7
每一件细碎琐事都充塞着这般爱恨和矛盾交缠.

měi yī jiàn xì suì suǒ shì dū chōng sāi zháo zhè bān ài hèn hé máo dùn jiāo chán.

Love and hate coexist in every trivial affair.
8
这两组数据相互矛盾。

zhè liǎng zǔ shù jù xiāng hù máo dùn。

There is a contradiction between the two sets of figures.
9
这种自相矛盾的问题只有证实钙与镁之间的相互作用程度才能得到解决.

zhè zhǒng zì xiāng máo dùn de wèn tí zhī yǒu zhèng shí gài yǔ měi zhī jiān de xiāng hù zuò yòng chéng dù cái néng dé dào jiě jué.

This paradox may be resolved by determining the extent of interation between calcium and magnesium.
10
我站在那里,就那样扬着手,愣着,矛盾着,心焦着,突然间,我对自己产生出一种深深的厌恶.

wǒ zhàn zài nà lǐ, , jiù nà yàng yáng zháo, shǒu ,, lèng zháo ,, máo dùn zháo, , xīn jiāo, zháo , tū rán jiān , wǒ duì zì jǐ chǎn shēng chū yī.

All of a sudden self - resentment engulfed me.
11
他的行为和他说的话常常存在矛盾。

Tā de xíngwéi hé tā shuō de huà chángcháng cúnzài máodùn.

There is often a contradiction between his actions and what he says.
12
在这个项目中，团队成员的目标出现了矛盾。

Zài zhège xiàngmù zhōng, tuánduì chéngyuán de mùbiāo chūxiànle máodùn.

In this project, there was a contradiction in the team members' goals.

Cultural Notes for 矛盾

🏮Cultural insight

The concept of 矛盾 is deeply rooted in Chinese philosophy, particularly in the teachings of Daoism and Confucianism, where contradictions are often seen as essential to understanding the balance of life.

Frequently Asked Questions about 矛盾

You can say, '这两种观点是矛盾的。' (Zhè liǎng zhǒng guāndiǎn shì máodùn de.) meaning 'These two viewpoints are contradictory.'