矛 盾(むじゅん)

むじゅん

noun

contradiction; inconsistency

1. contradiction; inconsistency

A situation in which two or more facts, ideas, or statements cannot all be true or valid at the same time.

彼(かれ)の話(はなし)には矛盾(むじゅん)がある。

There are contradictions in his story.

理論(りろん)と現実(げんじつ)が矛盾(むじゅん)している。

Theory and reality are contradictory.

矛盾(むじゅん)を解消(かいしょう)する。

To resolve a contradiction.

矛盾(むじゅん) comes from a Chinese story about a man selling both a spear (矛(ほこ)) and a shield (盾(たて)), claiming each was invincible.

ETYMOLOGY: A merchant claimed his spear could pierce any shield, and his shield could block any spear. Someone asked what would happen if his spear struck his shield - exposing the contradiction.

COMMON PATTERNS:

矛盾(むじゅん)する: to contradict, be inconsistent
矛盾(むじゅん)している: to be contradictory
矛盾(むじゅん)を感(かん)じる: to feel a contradiction

Related Words

Antonym: 調和(ちょうわ) (harmony)

general

Added 2026.1.16 12:30 · Revised 2026.6.5 5:07

05000/05215_mujun