Meaning of 多数
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- majority; most
How to use 多数
多数 is often used as 大多数 (dàduōshù, the vast majority) or in the pattern 多数人 (most people). It usually comes before the noun it describes or works as the subject of a sentence. Example: 多数学生喜欢这个老师。(Duōshù xuésheng xǐhuan zhège lǎoshī.) Most students like this teacher.
多 (duō) means many, and 数 (shù) means number. A "many number" of people or things is the majority.
Common mistake: Learners often confuse 多数 (duōshù, majority) with 许多 (xǔduō, many). 多数 means more than half of a group, while 许多 just means a lot, with no comparison to the whole. Also, 数 here is fourth tone shù, not third tone shǔ, which is the verb "to count".
多数 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
多 duō · many · 6 strokes
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数 shǔ · to count · 13 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 多数.
| 多少 | duōshao | number; amount; somewhat |
| 多久 | duōjiǔ | (of time) how long?; (not) a long time |
| 差不多 | chàbuduō | almost; nearly |
| 许多 | xǔduō | many; a lot of |
| 好多 | hǎoduō | many; quite a lot |
| 多么 | duōme | how (wonderful etc); what (a great idea etc) |
| 数字 | shùzì | numeral; digit |
| 大多数 | dàduōshù | (great) majority |
| 人数 | rénshù | number of people |
| 少数 | shǎoshù | small number; few |
| 分数 | fēnshù | (exam) grade; mark |
| 多云 | duōyún | (meteorology) cloudy |
Questions about 多数
What does 多数 mean?
多数 (duōshù) means "majority; most" and is used as a noun.
How do you write 多数?
多数 is made of 2 characters: 多 (6 strokes), 数 (13 strokes). That is 19 strokes in total.
Is 多数 an HSK word?
Yes. 多数 is on the HSK 2 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 多数 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 多数 is written 多數.
What is the opposite of 多数?
The opposite is 少数 (shǎoshù), meaning minority. For example, 少数民族 (shǎoshù mínzú) means ethnic minorities.
What is the difference between 多数 and 大多数?
Both mean most, but 大多数 (dàduōshù) is stronger and means the great majority. In everyday speech 大多数 is very common, while 多数 sounds slightly more neutral or formal.