máodùn: 矛盾 - Contradiction, Conflict, Contradictory

• Keywords: maodun, 矛盾, Chinese contradiction, Chinese conflict, what does maodun mean, contradictory in Chinese, spear and shield story, Chinese philosophy, inner conflict, feeling conflicted in Chinese.
• Summary: Discover the meaning of 矛盾 (máodùn), a fundamental Chinese word for “contradiction” or “conflict”. Originating from a famous ancient story about an unbreakable shield and an unstoppable spear, 矛盾 (máodùn) is used to describe everything from logical fallacies and social conflicts to a deep sense of inner turmoil. This page explores its cultural roots in Chinese philosophy, its practical use in daily conversation, and how it differs from the English concept of “conflict,” providing a key insight into the Chinese worldview.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): máodùn
• Part of Speech: Noun, Adjective
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: A contradiction, conflict, or something that is contradictory.
• In a Nutshell: 矛盾 (máodùn) is one of the most versatile and important words for describing conflict in Chinese. It's not just for logicians; it's a word you'll hear constantly to describe a personal feeling of being torn or conflicted (“I feel so 矛盾!”), a disagreement between people, or an inconsistency in a plan. It captures the essence of two things that cannot logically co-exist, whether in an argument, a situation, or inside your own head.

The origin of 矛盾 (máodùn) is a classic story that perfectly illustrates its meaning.

• 矛 (máo): This character means “spear” or “lance.” It's a weapon used for attacking.
• 盾 (dùn): This character means “shield.” It's a piece of armor used for defending.

The word literally combines “spear” and “shield.” It comes from a parable in the 3rd century BCE text *Han Feizi*. A vendor was selling weapons and boasted: “My spears (矛) are so sharp, they can pierce any shield!” Then, holding up a shield, he claimed, “My shields (盾) are so strong, they can block any spear!” A person in the crowd then asked, “What would happen if you tried to pierce this shield with that spear?” The vendor was speechless. This story, known as “自相矛盾” (zì xiāng máodùn - to be self-contradictory), gave birth to the modern word 矛盾 (máodùn), which embodies this exact type of unsolvable conflict or logical inconsistency.

While “contradiction” exists in every culture, 矛盾 (máodùn) carries a unique philosophical weight in China. In traditional Western (Aristotelian) logic, a contradiction (A and not-A) is a fallacy, an error to be eliminated to find a singular truth. In much of Chinese thought, however, contradictions are seen as a natural and fundamental part of the universe.

• Comparison to Yin and Yang (阴阳): The concept of 矛盾 resonates deeply with the Taoist principle of 阴阳 (yīnyáng). Yin and Yang are opposing forces (dark/light, passive/active) that are not mutually exclusive but are actually interdependent and give rise to each other. They exist in a dynamic balance. While 矛盾 often points to a problem that needs resolution, this underlying cultural perspective allows for contradictions to be viewed as a source of change and development, rather than just a logical error.
• Modern Political Thought: The concept was heavily emphasized by Mao Zedong in his essay “On Contradiction” (《矛盾论》), which adapted Marxist dialectics to the Chinese context. He argued that understanding and managing society's “principal contradictions” (e.g., between classes) was key to revolution and governance. This has cemented 矛盾 as a core term in modern Chinese political and social discourse.

For a learner, this means 矛盾 isn't always as negative or final as “contradiction” might feel in English. It can simply describe a natural state of tension that drives things forward.

矛盾 is an extremely common word used in various contexts, from casual chats to formal reports.

• Describing Inner Feelings (Very Common): When you are feeling indecisive, torn, or conflicted about a choice, this is the perfect word.
  • `我心里很矛盾，不知道该不该辞职。` (Wǒ xīnli hěn máodùn, bù zhīdào gāi bu gāi cízhí.) - “I feel very conflicted, I don't know if I should quit my job.”
• Pointing out Inconsistencies: Use it to call out a logical flaw in what someone says or does.
  • `你刚才说的话和现在做的完全矛盾。` (Nǐ gāngcái shuō de huà hé xiànzài zuò de wánquán máodùn.) - “What you just said and what you're doing now are completely contradictory.”
• Describing Interpersonal or Social Conflict: It's used for conflicts of interest, disagreements, or tensions between people, groups, or countries. It's less intense than a physical fight.
  • `他们俩之间一直有矛盾。` (Tāmen liǎ zhījiān yīzhí yǒu máodùn.) - “There has always been conflict/tension between the two of them.”
  • `这个问题引发了社会矛盾。` (Zhè ge wèntí yǐnfāle shèhuì máodùn.) - “This issue has triggered social conflict.”

• Example 1:
  • 我心里很矛盾，不知道应该选择哪个大学。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ xīnli hěn máodùn, bù zhīdào yīnggāi xuǎnzé nǎge dàxué.
  • English: I feel very conflicted, I don't know which university I should choose.
  • Analysis: This is a classic example of using 矛盾 to describe internal indecisiveness. `心里很矛盾` (xīnli hěn máodùn) is a set phrase for “to feel conflicted.”
• Example 2:
  • 他的解释前后矛盾，我们都不知道该信谁。
  • Pinyin: Tā de jiěshì qiánhòu máodùn, wǒmen dōu bù zhīdào gāi xìn shéi.
  • English: His explanation is self-contradictory (literally: front-and-back contradictory), none of us know who to believe.
  • Analysis: `前后矛盾` (qiánhòu máodùn) is a common collocation for describing statements or actions that contradict each other over time.
• Example 3:
  • 理想和现实之间总是存在矛盾。
  • Pinyin: Lǐxiǎng hé xiànshí zhījiān zǒngshì cúnzài máodùn.
  • English: There is always a conflict between ideals and reality.
  • Analysis: Here, 矛盾 is used as a noun to describe a more abstract, philosophical conflict between two concepts.
• Example 4:
  • 这项新政策旨在解决城乡发展不平衡的矛盾。
  • Pinyin: Zhè xiàng xīn zhèngcè zhǐ zài jiějué chéngxiāng fāzhǎn bù pínghéng de máodùn.
  • English: This new policy aims to resolve the contradiction of imbalanced urban-rural development.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates the formal, official use of 矛盾 in political or sociological contexts.
• Example 5:
  • 你是不是一个很矛盾的人？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ shì bu shì yīge hěn máodùn de rén?
  • English: Are you a very contradictory person?
  • Analysis: Here, 矛盾 is used as an adjective to describe a person's character, implying they often have conflicting desires or say/do inconsistent things.
• Example 6:
  • 我们不应该激化矛盾，而应该寻找解决方案。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen bù yīnggāi jīhuà máodùn, ér yīnggāi xúnzhǎo jiějué fāng'àn.
  • English: We shouldn't intensify the conflict, but rather look for a solution.
  • Analysis: `激化矛盾` (jīhuà máodùn) means “to intensify a conflict.” This shows how 矛盾 can be the object of verbs like `激化` (intensify) or `解决` (resolve).
• Example 7:
  • 这两种观点看似矛盾，其实可以共存。
  • Pinyin: Zhè liǎng zhǒng guāndiǎn kàn sì máodùn, qíshí kěyǐ gòngcún.
  • English: These two viewpoints seem contradictory, but actually they can coexist.
  • Analysis: This sentence reflects the cultural idea that not all contradictions are irreconcilable. `看似矛盾` (kàn sì máodùn) is a useful phrase for “seemingly contradictory.”
• Example 8:
  • 作为父母，他们俩在教育孩子的问题上产生了矛盾。
  • Pinyin: Zuòwéi fùmǔ, tāmen liǎ zài jiàoyù háizi de wèntí shàng chǎnshēngle máodùn.
  • English: As parents, the two of them developed a conflict over the issue of educating their child.
  • Analysis: `产生矛盾` (chǎnshēng máodùn) means “for a conflict to arise.” It's a common way to describe the beginning of a disagreement.
• Example 9:
  • 他的言行矛盾，让人很难信任他。
  • Pinyin: Tā de yánxíng máodùn, ràng rén hěn nán xìnrèn tā.
  • English: His words and actions are contradictory, which makes it hard for people to trust him.
  • Analysis: `言行` (yánxíng) means “words and actions.” `言行矛盾` is a specific and powerful criticism.
• Example 10:
  • 这个角色的内心充满了矛盾和挣扎。
  • Pinyin: Zhège juésè de nèixīn chōngmǎnle máodùn hé zhēngzhá.
  • English: This character's heart is filled with contradiction and struggle.
  • Analysis: A great example from literature or film analysis, where 矛盾 describes the complex inner world of a character.

• `矛盾` vs. `冲突` (chōngtū): This is a key distinction. `矛盾` is often about a state of inconsistency, a difference of interest, or an internal conflict. `冲突` (chōngtū) implies a more active, often open or even physical, confrontation.
  • `我们之间有矛盾。` (Wǒmen zhījiān yǒu máodùn.) - We have a conflict of interest/disagreement. (A state)
  • `我们之间发生了冲突。` (Wǒmen zhījiān fāshēngle chōngtū.) - We had a clash/argument/fight. (An event)
  • A `矛盾` can exist quietly for a long time, but if it gets worse, it might erupt into a `冲突`.
• `矛盾` vs. `纠结` (jiūjié): When talking about inner conflict, `矛盾` is a general feeling of being conflicted. `纠结` (jiūjié) is more vivid, implying a feeling of being “tangled up” and unable to make a decision. It's often more colloquial and emphasizes the painful, stuck feeling.
  • `我很矛盾。` (I feel conflicted.) - More neutral.
  • `我很纠结。` (I'm so torn/I'm agonizing over it.) - More emotional and vivid.
• Common Mistake: Don't use 矛盾 for a simple physical obstacle. You wouldn't say a locked door is a `矛盾`. It's a `障碍` (zhàng'ài - obstacle). 矛盾 requires at least two opposing ideas, forces, or interests.

• 自相矛盾 (zì xiāng máodùn) - The full four-character idiom (chengyu) from the original story, meaning “to contradict oneself.”
• 冲突 (chōngtū) - A clash, confrontation, or conflict. More active and overt than `矛盾`.
• 纠结 (jiūjié) - Entangled, agonizingly indecisive. A more emotional synonym for inner `矛盾`.
• 分歧 (fēnqí) - A difference of opinion, a disagreement. Often more formal and less severe than `矛盾`.
• 对立 (duìlì) - To be in opposition to; antagonistic. Describes a stronger, more polarized state of conflict than `矛盾`.
• 悖论 (bèilùn) - The direct, academic translation for “paradox” (e.g., a logical or scientific paradox).
• 阴阳 (yīnyáng) - Yin and Yang. The philosophical concept of complementary opposites, which provides a cultural backdrop for understanding contradictions.
• 斗争 (dòuzhēng) - Struggle, fight. A very strong term, often with political or class-based connotations.