自相矛盾 (zì xiāng máo dùn)

Character breakdown

• 自 (zì) · 6 strokes

  Pictograph of a nose. Original form of 鼻 (nose). In China, when people point to themselves, they typically point to their nose.

• 相 (Xiāng) · 9 strokes

  Depicts an eye (目) looking at a tree (木). Based on the original meaning "look at". The meaning of this character has shifted over time to "compare" and "each other".

• 矛 (máo) · 5 strokes

  Pictograph of a spear-like weapon.

• 盾 (dùn) · 9 strokes

  Pictograph of a shield.

Usage

他的说法前后自相矛盾。

His statements contradict themselves.

Tā de shuōfǎ qiánhòu zìxiāngmáodùn.