多数決

• Reading: たすうけつ
• Romaji: tasuuketsu
• Kanji breakdown: 多 (ta) — many, much; 数 (suu) — number, count; 決 (ketsu) — decide, determine
• Pronunciation: /ta.sɯː.ke.tsɯ/

Meaning

Majority vote; majority rule. A decision-making method where the option with the most votes wins.

A noun for the democratic decision-making process of majority rule. Used in classrooms, meetings, politics, and any group decision context. Common patterns include 多数決で決める (tasuuketsu de kimeru, decide by majority vote) and 多数決を取る (tasuuketsu wo toru, take a majority vote). Can carry nuance of democratic fairness or, conversely, of overriding minority opinions.

Examples

1. クラスの行き先は多数決で決めることになった。 The class decided to choose their destination by majority vote.
2. 会議で意見がまとまらなかったので多数決を取った。 Opinions didn't converge at the meeting, so we took a majority vote.
3. 多数決だけでは少数派の意見が無視されてしまう。 Majority rule alone can result in minority opinions being ignored.

Usage Guide

Context: school, meetings, politics

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese: 多数 (tasuu, majority/many) + 決 (ketsu, decide). Literally 'majority decision' — resolution by counting the greater number of votes.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal