自相矛盾 zì xiāng máo dùn
self-contradictory; to contradict oneself
Literally: self mutually spear shield
Tap a character above to see its stroke order and the words it appears in.
Origin
From the Han Feizi: a seller boasted that his spear could pierce anything and his shield could stop anything, and could not answer what would happen if the one struck the other.
How to use it
Predicate or attributive; negative. Often 他的话自相矛盾.
Example sentences
Show:
Tap any word for its meaning and pinyin. The chengyu is highlighted.
- 你昨天说不去，今天又说要去，这不是自相矛盾吗？Nǐ zuótiān shuō bù qù, jīntiān yòu shuō yào qù, zhè bù shì zì xiāng máo dùn ma?Yesterday you said you wouldn't go and today you say you will; aren't you contradicting yourself?you yesterday say not go, today again say want go, this not is self mutually spear shield (question-particle)
- 这篇文章的观点前后自相矛盾。Zhè piān wénzhāng de guāndiǎn qiánhòu zì xiāng máo dùn.The article's argument contradicts itself from beginning to end.this (measure) article (particle) viewpoint front-back self mutually spear shield
More chengyu about wisdom & judgement
- 井底之蛙jǐng dǐ zhī wāa person of narrow outlook; someone who cannot see beyond their own small world
- 掩耳盗铃yǎn ěr dào língto bury one's head in the sand; to deceive oneself
- 塞翁失马sài wēng shī mǎa blessing in disguise; a setback may turn out to be a benefit
- 旁观者清páng guān zhě qīngthe onlooker sees most clearly; an outsider has a clearer view
- 未雨绸缪wèi yǔ chóu móuto prepare for a rainy day; to take precautions in advance
- 因小失大yīn xiǎo shī dàto lose big for the sake of something small; penny wise, pound foolish
- 有备无患yǒu bèi wú huànpreparedness averts peril; be prepared and you have nothing to fear
- 三思而行sān sī ér xíngto think carefully before acting; look before you leap