少数
shǎoshù
The English word 'minority' is translated into Mandarin as 少数 (shǎoshù).
少数 refers to a subgroup that does not form a numerical majority. In a sociological or political context, when you want to refer specifically to an ethnic minority, you should use the term 少数民族.
Meaning: subgroup that does not form a numerical majority (noun)
Which one should you use?
The antonym of 少数 (minority) is 多数 (majority).
How does it change in a sentence?
To specify 'a minority of people', you can add the noun 人 after 少数 to form 少数人.
How do you pronounce it?
shǎoshù
Did you know?
- While 少数民族 translates as 'ethnic minority', the term is an official legal category in China used to grant specific cultural and linguistic rights that the 'majority' Han people do not have.
- The character 少 (shǎo), which means 'few' or 'minority', is also the same character used to mean 'young' in words like 少年 (shàonián, youth).
- Although 少数 means 'minority', it is commonly used in the phrase 少数服从多数 (the minority obeys the majority), which is a fundamental principle of democratic decision-making in Chinese schools and workplaces.
Examples in context
- 尊重少数民族的权益是必要的。Respecting the rights of minorities is necessary.
- 政府应保护少数民族的文化遗产。The government should protect the cultural heritage of minorities.
- 这里有很多少数民族。Zhèlǐ yǒu hěnduō shǎoshù mínzú.There are many ethnic minorities here.
- 虽然是少数，但他们很有影响力。Suīrán shì shǎoshù, dàn tāmen hěn yǒu yǐngxiǎnglì.Although they are a minority, they are very influential.
- 那个少数派选择了离开。Nàge shǎoshùpài xuǎnzé le líkāi.That minority group chose to leave.
Example conversation
Two colleagues are discussing a demographic report at work.
- 雨婷 Yuting这份报告提到了少数群体吗？Zhè fèn bàogào tídào le shǎoshù qúntǐ ma?Does this report mention the minority group?
- 浩然 Haoran是的，雨婷，数据非常详细。Shì de, Yǔtíng, shùjù fēicháng xiángxì.Yes, Yuting, the data is very detailed.
- 雨婷 Yuting浩然，你觉得结果怎么样？Hàorán, nǐ juéde jiéguǒ zěnmeyàng?Haoran, what do you think of the results?
- 浩然 Haoran我觉得这很有参考价值。Wǒ juéde zhè hěn yǒu cānkǎojiàzhí.I think this is very valuable for reference.
