矛盾

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 矛盾（むじゅん） means a relationship in which two things conflict or are difficult to reconcile.
• Basic usage: It describes inconsistency within an explanation, as in 説明には前後で矛盾がある.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Difference versus contradiction
  • 相違 focuses on a difference, while 矛盾 focuses on things being incompatible under the same conditions.
• Linking the things that conflict
  • 説明と行動が矛盾する means that an explanation and an action are inconsistent.