課上有時候會聽到 paradox 或 contradiction 這字，
❌ 但它們不是心情矛盾的意思喔！❌
今天把矛盾分析並解釋給大家聽 ⬇️
Paradox 文學科學界的字
用這個例子就可以理解 Paradox：「Less is more.」
此句話為少即是多的概念，從簡反而能達最大效果，尤其用在藝術方面。所以 Paradox 指悖論，外表看似矛盾的一句話或情境，但經思考有更深層的意義。此字比較常在文學或科學界出現，例如《奧德賽》（The Odyssey）中，奧德修斯（Odysseus）吿訴獨眼巨人他的名字是「Nobody」，所以當奧德修斯要攻擊巨人時，巨人說是「Nobody」在傷害他！像這種自相矛盾的狀況，就是經典的 Paradox。
我不鼓勵用它來解釋矛盾心情。
Contradiction 互相矛盾的點子
Contradiction 即是互相抵觸或矛盾的點子。比起 paradox，contradiction 在生活中常見。
I find a contradiction in the terms and conditions. 我在規範和條例裡發現一個矛盾處。
The second sentence seems to be in contradiction of the first sentence. 第二個句子跟第一個句子似乎互相矛盾抵觸。
I find that point A contradicts with point B. Could you elaborate? 我發現Ａ、Ｂ兩點互相矛盾，可以麻煩解釋一下嗎？（注意這裡是『動詞』用法）
His actions were contradictory to his words. He is a liar. 他說的話和做的事不一樣，他是個騙子。
Mixed feelings 心情複雜矛盾
在我經驗中最常見的用法非它莫屬！在溝通時前後文可以進而解釋情緒對比，例如 excited / nervous、happy / sad 、bitter / sweet。
When my parents got divorced, I had mixed feelings about it. I knew they were good for each other but it still breaks my heart. 我父母離婚時我的感受相當矛盾。我知道他們很不適合，但是我還是很心痛。
I had mixed feelings about graduation - I was happy to finish college but sad to leave my friends. 對於畢業我感到情緒複雜，很高興能完成學業但是離開朋友讓我傷心。
When the movie ended, I had mixed feelings. It was beautiful and sad at the same time. 電影結束時我心情很矛盾，結尾很美但也很悲傷。
She had mixed feelings about the job opportunity. It was exciting but nerve-wracking to move to a new place at the age of 50. 對於這工作機會她給到情緒複雜，雖然很興奮，但在五十歲這個年紀搬到新地方也使她很緊張。
其他說法？
Conflicted 實用度 ★★★★★ 矛盾、困惑、複雜
I am still conflicted about sending my child to a daycare. 對於送小孩到托嬰中心我還是感矛盾。
Love hate relationship ★★★★☆ 又愛又恨
I have a love-hate relationship with dairy products. I love the taste but my body can’t tolerate it. 我對於奶製品又愛又恨，我很愛它的味道但是身體無法接受。
Torn ★★★★☆ 糾結
She must have been torn about selling the house. She had been living there since she was a baby. 對於賣那棟房子她當初一定很糾結，她從嬰兒時期就住在那邊了。
A rock and a hard place ★★★★☆ 進退兩難的處境（同 5.）
My wife and mother are not on good terms. I’m between a rock and a hard place. 我媽媽跟我老婆相處不佳，讓我進退兩難。
Dilemma ★★★☆☆ 左右為難的困境（同 4.）
I am faced with the dilemma of whether or not I should tell him the truth - his boyfriend has been cheating on him. 我左有為難，不知道該不該告訴他事實，他男友劈腿一段時間了。
Crossroads ★★★☆☆ 在十字路口（面臨抉擇）
He is at a crossroads. He doesn’t know if he should go to college or work for his father. 他面臨抉擇，不知道該上大學還是跟他爸去工作。Ambivalent ★☆☆☆☆ 內心矛盾、交戰
She is ambivalent about quitting, struggling to make a decision. 她對於辭職感到內心交戰，不知道如何下決定。
學到了嗎？😎
我喜歡再三強調得是著重於單字的運用靈活度，所以從已經認識的單字下手對你來說會是ＣＰ值最高的學習方法！
想要學以致用英文會話嗎？
七月《初中會話團班》還有位置喔！