Intermediatesocialchengyu

Chengyu usage loop

自相矛盾

self-contradictory. Learn the modern situation first; the old story is useful only after the idiom has a job.

self-contradictory
Practice recall Open Practice

Situation first

self-contradictory

A chengyu is a compressed judgment about a situation. Random idiom sprinkling is how learners sound like a proverb calendar.

01 Name the situation Read the English meaning first. Know what kind of moment this idiom labels.
02 Hear four characters Play the chengyu and say it as one compact expression, not four isolated words.
03 Recall the use Log it, then use the chengyu quiz to match it to a modern situation.

Reading supports

Use these after the first listen. Pinyin is scaffolding; English is context; neither should become a sofa.

Literal meaning

self-contradictory

Story

This page focuses on the modern use of 自相矛盾, not just the old story.

Modern usage

Use 自相矛盾 in social contexts when the situation matches the meaning: self-contradictory.

Example

This example can be described with 自相矛盾.