大多数

• Pinyin: dà duō shù
• Hanzi breakdown: 大 = big; 多 = stacked 夕 (evening) — many; 数 = number, to count

Meaning

Most; the majority. Refers to the greater number or proportion of a group.

Similar to 大部分 but more commonly used with countable items or people. Often used in the pattern 大多数 + noun + 都... to make generalisations.

Examples

1. 大多数中国人都会用筷子。 Most Chinese people know how to use chopsticks.
2. 大多数同学选了这门课。 Most classmates chose this course.
3. 这个城市大多数商店晚上十点关门。 Most shops in this city close at ten in the evening.

Usage Guide

Context: generalisations, statistics, descriptions

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 大多数人都同意这个想法。(Most people agree with this idea.)
• 大多数时候他都很准时。(Most of the time he is very punctual.)

Don't Say

• 不要把大多数和大部分完全等同 — 大多数 more often refers to countable groups (大多数人, 大多数学生), while 大部分 can also modify uncountable nouns (大部分时间, 大部分水).

Origin & History

Compound of 大 (big) and 多数 (majority, the greater number). 多 (many) + 数 (number) already means majority; 大 intensifies it.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal