多数

• Pinyin: duō shù
• Hanzi breakdown: 多 (duō) — many, much; 数 (shù) — number, quantity

Meaning

Majority; most. Refers to the greater part or number of a group.

Often used in the pattern 多数人 (most people) or 大多数 (the great majority). The opposite is 少数 (minority).

Examples

1. 多数学生都通过了考试。 Most students passed the exam.
2. 多数人喜欢在周末休息。 Most people like to rest at the weekend.
3. 这个问题多数同学都回答对了。 The majority of classmates answered this question correctly.

Usage Guide

Context: statistics, general statements, discussions

Tone: factual

Do Say

• 多数人觉得这个方法好。(Most people think this method is good.)
• 大多数情况下不会有问题。(In most cases there won't be a problem.)

Don't Say

• 不要把'多数'和'很多'混淆 — 多数 means 'the majority' (more than half), while 很多 simply means 'a lot' without implying a proportion.

Origin & History

Compound of 多 (many, much) and 数 (number). Literally 'the greater number' — the majority.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal