noun / adjective HSK 4
Traditional 少數
minority · small number · few
Meaning
少数 refers to a small portion or minority of a larger group, whether describing people, things, or cases. It contrasts with the majority and emphasizes that something represents only a limited part of the whole. The word is commonly used in both everyday conversation and formal contexts.
Usage
Native speakers use 少数 to distinguish a smaller group from the majority (多数). It frequently appears in phrases like 少数民族 (ethnic minorities) and 少数人 (a minority of people). The word can function as a noun ('the minority') or as an attributive adjective before another noun ('a small number of...').
Examples
- 01只有少数学生通过了这次考试。.Only a minority of students passed this exam.
- 02中国有五十六个民族，其中五十五个是少数民族。, .China has fifty-six ethnic groups, of which fifty-five are minority ethnic groups.
Characters
Common collocations
- 少数民族ethnic minority
- 少数人a minority of people
- 极少数very few, tiny minority
- 少数情况minority of cases
Antonyms
Origin
Composed of 少 (few) and 数 (number), literally meaning 'few in number' or 'small count.'