maau4 teon5矛盾
Jyutpingmaau4 teon5
Yalemàauh téuhn
Definition
Conflict, friction, or hostility between people due to differences in values or interests; a contradiction or discrepancy.
- conflict, friction, or hostility between people due to different values or interests
- contradiction; discrepancy; inconsistency
neutralpeopleemotion
How it's used
Refers specifically to interpersonal friction or internal inconsistency rather than just a logical error. It often implies a state of conflict that is ongoing or difficult to resolve, rather than a single misunderstanding. When describing a person's behavior, it highlights a clash between what they say and what they actually do.
Examples
The two of them are always at odds and find it hard to get along.
What you are saying is so contradictory, how can anyone believe you?
Related words
Common phrases
to create conflict
to resolve a conflict
Common mistake
Learners often confuse it with 衝突, which implies a more active, physical, or immediate clash. While 矛盾 can describe a heated situation, it frequently refers to the underlying tension or the incompatibility of ideas.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
