Meaning and Usage
"多数" means "majority" or "most" and is used to indicate that more than half or a large portion of a group shares a certain characteristic or opinion. It is often used in formal or neutral contexts such as discussions about groups, votes, or general situations.
Common Collocations
- 多数人 (majority of people): used when referring to most people in a group.
- 多数情况下 (in most cases): used to describe what usually happens.
- 多数票 (majority vote): used in elections or decisions.
Usage Notes
"多数" is a noun or adjective and typically precedes a noun to quantify it. It differs from "很多" which simply means "many" but does not imply a majority. Avoid confusing "多数" with "大多数" which emphasizes an even larger majority.
Register and Tone
"多数" is neutral and suitable for both spoken and written Chinese, especially in formal or informational contexts.