Meaning and Usage
"少数" means "a small number" or "minority." It is often used to describe a minority group of people, a small portion of a population, or a limited quantity of something.
Common Contexts
- Describing a minority ethnic group (少数民族)
- Indicating a small number of people or things within a larger group
- Emphasizing that although the number is small, the group or opinion still matters
Collocations
- 少数民族 (minority ethnic groups): used in social and cultural contexts
- 少数人 (a few people): often used when referring to a small group within a larger population
- 少数反对 (a minority opposition): used in political or social discussions
Usage Notes
"少数" is a neutral term and can be used in formal and informal contexts. It differs from "小部分" which also means "a small part," but "少数" specifically emphasizes the number aspect. Avoid confusing "少数" with "少量," which refers to a small quantity but is more often used for uncountable nouns or substances.