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B1 noun 13 min read

少数

shaoshu

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 少数 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 少数 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should think of '少数' (shǎoshù) as simply meaning 'a few' or 'not many'. It is the opposite of '很多' (hěnduō - many). Even though it's a B1 word, you can use it in very simple sentences to describe groups of people or things. For example, '少数人' (a few people). At this stage, you don't need to worry about the political or social meanings. Just remember that '少' means 'few' and '数' means 'number'. So, '少数' is a 'few number'. You will mostly see it when talking about people in a room or items on a table. If there are ten people and only two want tea, you can say '少数人喝茶' (A few people drink tea). It is a useful word to help you move beyond just saying 'some' or 'not many'. Just remember to put it before the noun you are talking about. You don't usually need a measure word between '少数' and the noun, which makes it easier for beginners! For example, '少数学生' (a few students) is perfect. Keep it simple and use it to describe small groups you can see.

At the A2 level, you can start using '少数' (shǎoshù) to make comparisons. You should know its antonym, '多数' (duōshù - majority). This allows you to talk about preferences and basic statistics. For example, '多数人喜欢红色，少数人喜欢蓝色' (The majority like red, a minority like blue). You might also start seeing the term '少数民族' (shǎoshù mínzú) in your textbooks when learning about Chinese culture. At this level, you should understand that '少数民族' refers to ethnic groups like the Tibetans or Mongolians. You can also use '少数' to describe situations, like '少数时候' (a few times/rarely). It’s a step up from '有时候' (sometimes) because it emphasizes that the occurrence is even less frequent. You should also practice using '只有' (zhǐyǒu - only) with '少数' to emphasize how small the number is, such as '只有少数几个' (only a few). This will help your Chinese sound more precise and natural. Remember that '少数' is more formal than just saying '一点点' (a little bit), so use it when you want to sound a bit more serious or clear about what you are counting.

At the B1 level, you are expected to use '少数' (shǎoshù) in more abstract and social contexts. This is the level where the word is officially introduced in many curriculum frameworks. You should be comfortable using it to discuss opinions, rights, and social groups. The most important phrase to learn at this level is '少数服从多数' (shǎoshù fúcóng duōshù - the minority yields to the majority). This is a very common way to describe how decisions are made in groups. You should also be able to use '少数' in professional settings, such as describing a '少数意见' (minority opinion) in a meeting. You will start to notice that '少数' is often used as a noun on its own, especially in formal writing. For example, '少数人的利益' (the interests of the minority). You should also be able to distinguish '少数' from '少量' (shǎoliàng). Remember: '少数' is for things you can count (people, books, countries), and '少量' is for things you measure (water, time, salt). Being able to use these two correctly shows that you have a solid grasp of intermediate Chinese grammar. You might also encounter '极少数' (a tiny minority) and should use it when you want to be very emphatic.

At the B2 level, '少数' (shǎoshù) should be a tool for detailed analysis and argumentation. you should use it in academic or business contexts to describe trends and demographics. For example, you might write a report saying '少数企业已经开始采用这种新技术' (A minority of enterprises have already begun to adopt this new technology). At this level, you should also understand the legal and political nuances of '少数民族' (ethnic minorities) and '少数群体' (minority groups). You should be able to discuss the importance of protecting '少数权益' (minority rights) in a debate or essay. You will also see '少数' used in more complex grammatical structures, such as '占少数' (to be in the minority) or '绝非少数' (definitely not a minority). This rhetorical use of the negative is very common in high-level Chinese writing to emphasize that something is actually quite common. You should also be able to recognize '少数派' (minority faction/party) in news reports about politics or international relations. At B2, your usage of '少数' should be precise, and you should be able to explain the difference between a numerical minority and a social minority.

At the C1 level, your understanding of '少数' (shǎoshù) should include its historical and philosophical implications. You will encounter this word in complex literary texts and high-level political theory. You should be able to discuss the 'minority' not just as a number, but as a concept of power and representation. For example, you might analyze how '少数精英' (a minority of elites) influences public policy. You should also be familiar with idioms and classical references that use the character '少' or the concept of '少数', such as '众寡悬殊' (a huge disparity in numbers). At this level, you should be able to use '少数' to create nuance in your speech. For instance, you might use '少数' to qualify a statement, making it sound more objective and measured. You should also be able to understand and use '少数' in the context of corporate governance, such as '少数股东' (minority shareholders) and their specific legal protections. Your vocabulary should also include synonyms like '稀缺' (scarce) or '罕见' (rare) and you should know exactly when to use '少数' instead of these to be most accurate in a professional or academic setting.

At the C2 level, you have a native-like grasp of '少数' (shǎoshù). You can use it with absolute precision in any context, from legal drafting to poetic expression. You understand the deep cultural weight of '少数民族' in the context of Chinese history and the 'Unified Multi-ethnic State' policy. You can engage in high-level debates about the 'tyranny of the majority' vs. 'minority rights' using terms like '多数人的暴政' and '少数群体的保障'. You are also aware of the most subtle usages, such as using '少数' to imply 'the select few' or 'the chosen ones' in a philosophical or religious context. You can switch between formal and informal registers effortlessly, knowing when '少数' sounds too stiff and when it is necessary for clarity. You might also use the word in sophisticated rhetorical structures, such as '少数中的少数' (the minority within the minority) to describe extremely niche subsets of data or society. At this level, '少数' is no longer just a word; it is a concept that you can manipulate to express complex social, mathematical, and logical relationships with ease and elegance. You can also appreciate how the meaning of '少数' has evolved in modern digital discourse, where 'niche' communities are often described using related terms.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

少数 in 30 Seconds

'少数' (shǎoshù) means minority or a small number, commonly used to describe groups that are less than half of a total population or set.
It is the essential term for 'ethnic minorities' in China (少数民族) and is used in formal, academic, and daily settings.
The word is the direct antonym of '多数' (duōshù - majority) and is central to the democratic idiom '少数服从多数'.
Grammatically, it functions as a noun or an attributive modifier, often appearing before nouns like '人', '情况', or '国家'.

The Chinese word 少数 (shǎoshù) is a fundamental term that primarily translates to 'minority' or 'a small number' in English. It is composed of two characters: 少 (shǎo), meaning 'few' or 'little', and 数 (shù), meaning 'number' or 'count'. Together, they create a noun that describes a quantity that is less than half of a whole, or simply a small portion of a group. In daily conversation, it is used to describe anything from a handful of people at a party to a small percentage of a population. However, its usage goes far beyond mere counting; it carries significant weight in social, political, and academic contexts. For instance, when discussing demographics in China, 少数 is almost always linked with 民族 (mínzú) to form 少数民族 (shǎoshù mínzú), referring to the 55 recognized ethnic minority groups in the country. Understanding this word requires recognizing its role as both a mathematical descriptor and a social label.

Grammatical Function: As a noun, it can serve as the subject or object of a sentence, but it is frequently used as an attributive to modify other nouns, such as '少数人' (a minority of people) or '少数情况' (minority cases).

只有少数学生通过了这次极其困难的考试。(Only a minority of students passed this extremely difficult exam.)

In the context of decision-making, you will often hear the phrase '少数服从多数' (shǎoshù fúcóng duōshù), which is the standard Chinese way of saying 'the minority yields to the majority'. This reflects a democratic or collective decision-making process. The word is versatile because it can be used for abstract concepts like '少数意见' (minority opinion) or physical objects like '少数剩余的零件' (the few remaining parts). It is a neutral word, but its implications can change depending on whether it is used in a positive sense (highlighting the uniqueness of a few) or a negative sense (implying a lack of representation). For English speakers, it is important to distinguish 少数 from the adjective 少. While 少 simply means 'few' in a descriptive sense, 少数 functions as a formal categorization of a group. It is the difference between saying 'there are few people' and 'the minority of people'. In formal writing, 少数 is the preferred term for statistical analysis and reporting.

Social Context: In China, '少数民族' is a term of pride and cultural identity, often associated with specific autonomous regions like Tibet, Xinjiang, and Guangxi. Using the word '少数' in these contexts requires an understanding of the 56-ethnic-group structure of the Chinese nation.

我们应当尊重少数人的权利。(We should respect the rights of the minority.)

Finally, the word is often contrasted with its antonym 多数 (duōshù). This binary relationship is a core part of Chinese logic in discussions about politics, sociology, and even simple group activities like choosing a restaurant. If you are learning Chinese for business or travel, you will encounter this word in news headlines regarding market trends (e.g., 'a minority of companies are profitable') or travel guides discussing ethnic minority cultures. It is a high-frequency word that bridges the gap between basic counting and complex social categorization.

Formal Usage: In academic papers, '少数' is used to define outliers or specific subsets within a data sample, often followed by '样本' (yànběn - sample) or '案例' (ànlì - case).

这只是少数人的看法，并不代表大众。(This is only the view of a few people; it does not represent the public.)

Using 少数 (shǎoshù) correctly in sentences involves understanding its position as a noun and its relationship with the particle 的 (de). While in some cases you can use '少数人' directly, it is very common to see '少数的' followed by a noun to specify the group being discussed. For example, '少数的国家' (a minority of countries). The most frequent pattern is [Quantifier/Adverb] + 少数 + [Noun]. For instance, '极少数人' (a very small minority of people). Another common structure is 少数 + [Verb/Action], though this is less common than modifying a noun. For example, '少数人赞成这个提议' (A minority of people support this proposal).

Common Pattern 1: [Number/Determiner] + 少数: Such as '一小少数' (a small minority) or '这少数几个人' (these few people).

在少数情况下，我们可能需要重新启动系统。(In rare/minority cases, we might need to restart the system.)

It's also important to look at how 少数 interacts with '服从' (fúcóng - to obey/yield). The idiom '少数服从多数' is a fixed structure. You cannot say '多数服从少数' unless you are describing a very unusual or undemocratic situation. In statistical contexts, 少数 is often used with '比例' (bǐlì - proportion). For example, '占少数比例' (to account for a minority proportion). When describing people, '少数派' (shǎoshùpài) refers to 'the minority faction' or 'the minority group' in a political or organizational setting.

Common Pattern 2: 少数 + 民族: This is a fixed term for ethnic minorities. Example: '云南有很多少数民族。' (Yunnan has many ethnic minorities.)

虽然他是少数派，但他的意见非常有价值。(Although he is in the minority, his opinion is very valuable.)

In more advanced usage, 少数 can be used to describe abstract qualities. For example, '少数的精华' (the few elite/best parts). It can also be used in the negative to say '不是少数' (not a few / not a small number), which is a common way to emphasize that something is actually quite common. For instance, '有这种想法的人绝不是少数' (People who have this idea are definitely not a minority). This rhetorical device is very common in Chinese editorial writing.

Common Pattern 3: 仅占少数: To only occupy a small number. Often used in business reports to describe market share.

目前只有少数几个城市实现了全自动化。(Currently, only a few cities have achieved full automation.)

When comparing 少数 with 一些 (yìxiē), '少数' is more formal and specific about the quantity being small relative to the whole, whereas '一些' is just 'some' and is more vague. If you say '一些人', it could be 40% of the group. If you say '少数人', it is almost certainly less than 50% and usually much less. This precision makes 少数 essential for logical argumentation and reporting. It is also worth noting that in the phrase '少数服从多数', the word functions almost as a collective noun representing the group of people who hold the minority view.

You will encounter 少数 (shǎoshù) in a wide variety of environments, ranging from the most formal government addresses to casual workplace debates. One of the most common places is in the news. China’s state media frequently reports on the development and cultural preservation of 少数民族 (shǎoshù mínzú). You will hear phrases like '少数民族地区' (minority areas) or '少数民族文化' (minority culture) during the National People's Congress or during cultural festivals like the Lunar New Year. In these contexts, the word is used with a sense of inclusion and national unity.

News & Media: '少数' is used to report on statistics: '少数企业面临资金困难' (A small number of enterprises face financial difficulties) or '少数投资者表示担心' (A few investors expressed concern).

在这次选举中，少数派政党获得了比预期更多的席位。(In this election, the minority parties won more seats than expected.)

In academic settings, particularly in sociology, political science, and mathematics, 少数 is a technical term. Professors will use it when discussing '少数群体' (minority groups) in the context of social justice or '少数解' (minority solutions) in mathematical problems. It is also common in legal language, where laws are designed to protect the '少数权益' (minority rights). If you are a student in China, you will definitely hear it during class discussions when a teacher asks if anyone has a '少数意见' (dissenting/minority opinion).

Academic & Professional: Used to describe data outliers or specific demographics in research. '少数样本不符合正态分布' (A small number of samples do not follow a normal distribution).

法律的首要任务是保护少数人的利益不受侵犯。(The primary task of the law is to protect the interests of the minority from infringement.)

In the business world, 少数 appears in annual reports and market analyses. A CEO might say, '虽然目前只有少数客户使用这个功能，但我们看好它的潜力' (Although only a small number of customers use this feature now, we are optimistic about its potential). It is also used in the context of '少数股东' (minority shareholders), which is a specific legal and financial term in corporate governance. When you are watching Chinese TV dramas, especially those set in a workplace or courtroom, '少数' is often used to create tension between the majority's will and the protagonist's unique, minority perspective.

Business & Finance: '少数股东权益' (Minority interest) is a key term in consolidated financial statements.

公司董事会必须考虑少数股东的诉求。(The company's board of directors must consider the demands of minority shareholders.)

Lastly, in the era of social media, you will see '少数人' in the titles of blog posts or videos that offer 'niche' or 'unconventional' advice, such as '只有少数人才知道的旅行秘籍' (Travel secrets that only a few people know). Here, 少数 is used to imply exclusivity and special knowledge.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make with 少数 (shǎoshù) is confusing it with the adjective 少 (shǎo) or the adverbial phrase 很少 (hěn shǎo). While they all relate to 'fewness', they are used in completely different grammatical structures. 少 is an adjective describing a small amount (e.g., '人很少' - there are few people), whereas 少数 is a noun or a noun-modifier. You cannot say '人数少数' to mean 'the number of people is small'; you must say '人数很少' or '只有少数人'. This is a subtle but crucial distinction for reaching B1 and B2 levels.

Mistake 1: Using '少数' as a Predicate Adjective: Incorrect: 这里的学生少数。 (The students here are minority.) Correct: 这里的学生很少。 (The students here are few.) or 这里的学生只是少数。 (The students here are only a minority.)

错误：他有少数钱。(He has a minority of money.) 正确：他有很少钱。(He has very little money.)

Another common error is failing to use the correct measure words or particles. While 少数 can sometimes precede a noun directly, it often sounds more natural with 的 (de) or a specific measure word when referring to specific items. However, for '少数人' and '少数民族', the '的' is usually dropped because they are fixed terms. Learners often over-apply the '的' or omit it when it's needed for clarity in more complex phrases like '少数的成功案例' (a few successful cases).

Mistake 2: Confusing '少数' with '少量' (shǎoliàng): '少数' is for countable things (people, countries, cases), while '少量' is for uncountable things (water, salt, time). You wouldn't say '少数水' (a minority of water); you would say '少量水' (a small amount of water).

错误：请在汤里放少数盐。(Please put a minority of salt in the soup.) 正确：请在汤里放少量盐。(Please put a small amount of salt in the soup.)

A third mistake involves the word order in the phrase '少数服从多数'. Learners sometimes mix it up and say '多数服从少数', which completely reverses the meaning of democratic rule. Additionally, some learners try to use 少数 to mean 'unimportant', but this is not always true. In Chinese, being in the 少数 can sometimes imply being part of an elite or specialized group, so context is key. Avoid using it as a synonym for 'bad' or 'weak'.

Mistake 3: Over-relying on '少数' for 'Rare': While '少数情况' means rare cases, if you want to say something is 'rare' as in 'hard to find', you should use '罕见' (hǎnjiàn) or '稀少' (xīshǎo). '少数' is strictly about the count, not necessarily the frequency of occurrence.

错误：这种动物非常少数。(This kind of animal is very minority.) 正确：这种动物非常稀少。(This kind of animal is very rare/scarce.)

Lastly, be careful with the English translation 'minority'. In English, 'minority' can be an adjective ('minority report'), but in Chinese, 少数 usually needs a noun to follow it to function similarly. Don't use it in isolation if the context doesn't clearly establish what group you are referring to.

To truly master 少数 (shǎoshù), you should understand how it compares to other words that describe small quantities or groups. The most frequent comparisons are with 少量 (shǎoliàng), 稀少 (xīshǎo), and 部分 (bùfèn). Each has a specific niche in the Chinese language.

少数 vs. 少量: As mentioned in the mistakes section, '少数' is for countable entities (people, items), while '少量' is for uncountable mass (liquid, powder, abstract effort). Example: '少数人' vs '少量水'.
少数 vs. 稀少: '稀少' (xīshǎo) emphasizes scarcity or rarity. It is often used for natural resources, rare animals, or a thin population in a large area. '少数' is a neutral count; '稀少' implies that there is not enough or it's hard to find.

虽然人口稀少，但这里的少数民族文化非常丰富。(Although the population is sparse/rare, the ethnic minority culture here is very rich.)

Another interesting comparison is with 个别 (gèbié). While 少数 refers to a group that is small, 个别 refers to 'individual' or 'isolated' cases. If a teacher says '少数学生迟到', it means a small group of them were late. If they say '个别学生迟到', it implies just one or two specific individuals were late, and it's not a general trend even for a minority.

少数 vs. 个别: '少数' is a statistical minority. '个别' is an exception or an isolated instance. Example: '少数情况' (minority situations) vs '个别现象' (isolated phenomenon).

我们不能因为个别人的错误而惩罚少数群体。(We cannot punish a minority group because of the mistakes of isolated individuals.)

In political or formal discourse, you might also encounter 小众 (xiǎozhòng). This is a trendy term used to describe 'niche' interests, like '小众音乐' (niche music) or '小众品牌' (niche brands). While 少数 is a literal count, 小众 carries a cultural connotation of being alternative or not mainstream. If you are talking about marketing to a specific small group, 小众 is often more appropriate than 少数.

少数 vs. 小众: '少数' is objective and numerical. '小众' is subjective and cultural. You wouldn't say '少数民族' is '小众民族' because ethnic identity isn't a 'niche interest'.

虽然这种爱好很小众，但在少数圈子里非常流行。(Although this hobby is very niche, it is very popular in a few circles.)

Understanding these nuances allows you to choose the word that best fits your intent, whether you are being a scientist, a politician, or just a person talking about their favorite indie band.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character '少' is one of the oldest in Chinese, and its meaning hasn't changed much in 3,000 years! It always represented the concept of 'not much'.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ʃaʊ ʃuː/

US /ʃaʊ ʃuː/

The emphasis is usually balanced, but the 4th tone on 'shù' makes it sound slightly more forceful at the end.

Rhymes With

到处 (dàochù) 好处 (hǎochù) 住处 (zhùchù) 用处 (yòngchù) 相处 (xiāngchǔ - though tone differs) 苦楚 (kǔchǔ) 基础 (jīchǔ) 处理 (chǔlǐ - first character)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'shǎo' as 1st tone (shāo), which can mean 'to burn'.
Pronouncing 'shù' as 2nd tone (shú), which can mean 'ripe' or 'familiar'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

The characters are relatively simple, but understanding the context in formal texts can be tricky.

Writing 4/5

Writing '数' requires attention to stroke order and components.

Speaking 3/5

The 3rd and 4th tone combination (shǎo-shù) is a good practice for tone transitions.

Listening 2/5

It is a common word and usually easy to catch in speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

少 (shǎo) 数 (shù) 多 (duō) 人 (rén) 民 (mín)

Learn Next

多数 (duōshù) 民族 (mínzú) 比例 (bǐlì) 权利 (quánlì) 派别 (pàibié)

Advanced

精英 (jīngyīng) 群体 (qúntǐ) 保障 (bǎozhàng) 程序正义 (chéngxù zhèngyì) 边缘化 (biānyuánhuà)

Grammar to Know

Using '少数' as an adjective modifier

少数学生 (A few students). You don't always need '的' for simple nouns.

The use of '只有' for emphasis

只有少数人赞成。 (Only a minority support it.) '只有' highlights the smallness.

'少数' vs '少量'

少数人 (Countable) vs 少量水 (Uncountable). This is a vital distinction.

'少数' in the negative '绝非少数'

有这种想法的人绝非少数。 (People with this idea are definitely not a few.) Used for emphasis.

'少数' as a subject

少数人决定了结果。 (The minority decided the outcome.) It functions as a noun subject.

Examples by Level

这里只有少数人。

There are only a few people here.

'只有' (only) is often used with '少数' to emphasize the small number.

少数学生在看书。

A few students are reading books.

'少数' directly precedes the noun '学生'.

我只买了少数苹果。

I only bought a few apples.

'少数' acts as a quantifier here.

少数猫是黑色的。

A few cats are black.

Used to describe a subset of a group.

今天只有少数老师在学校。

Only a few teachers are at school today.

'在学校' is the location phrase.

少数人喜欢喝苦咖啡。

A few people like to drink bitter coffee.

'喜欢喝' is the verb phrase.

教室里有少数椅子是坏的。

A few chairs in the classroom are broken.

'是坏的' describes the state of the chairs.

少数人已经回家了。

A few people have already gone home.

'已经...了' indicates a completed action.

多数人去旅游，少数人留在家。

The majority go traveling, while a minority stay at home.

Contrast between '多数' and '少数'.

这个班级只有少数学生及格。

Only a minority of students in this class passed.

'及格' means to pass a test.

云南有很多少数民族。

There are many ethnic minorities in Yunnan.

'少数民族' is a fixed term.

只有少数几个国家同意这个计划。

Only a few countries agreed to this plan.

'少数几个' is a common phrase for 'a few'.

少数时候，他会迟到。

On a few occasions, he is late.

'少数时候' means 'rarely' or 'infrequently'.

少数人觉得这个电影很有趣。

A few people think this movie is very interesting.

'觉得' introduces an opinion.

这些书里只有少数是中文的。

Of these books, only a few are in Chinese.

'是中文的' uses the '的' particle for categorization.

少数孩子不喜欢吃糖。

A few children do not like eating candy.

'不喜欢' is the negative preference.

在投票中，少数服从多数是基本原则。

In voting, the minority yielding to the majority is a basic principle.

This is a standard Chinese idiom/phrase.

这只是少数人的意见，不是全部。

This is only the opinion of a few people, not everyone.

'意见' means opinion.

少数民族的文化遗产应该得到保护。

The cultural heritage of ethnic minorities should be protected.

'应该得到保护' is a passive-like structure.

虽然只有少数人参加，但会议很成功。

Although only a few people attended, the meeting was very successful.

'虽然...但...' is a common conjunction pair.

少数情况下，药物可能会有副作用。

In a minority of cases, the medicine may have side effects.

'少数情况' refers to rare instances.

他属于少数派，所以他的提议没通过。

He belongs to the minority faction, so his proposal didn't pass.

'少数派' refers to a minority group or faction.

我们要尊重少数人的合法权益。

We must respect the legal rights and interests of the minority.

'合法权益' is a formal term for legal rights.

只有极少数人能完成这项挑战。

Only a very tiny minority of people can complete this challenge.

'极少数' adds emphasis.

目前只有少数企业实现了盈利。

Currently, only a minority of enterprises have achieved profitability.

'实现盈利' is a business term for achieving profit.

少数股东对公司的决策表示不满。

Minority shareholders expressed dissatisfaction with the company's decision.

'少数股东' is a technical financial term.

这种现象只存在于少数发达国家。

This phenomenon only exists in a few developed countries.

'存在于' means 'exists in'.

少数派报告引起了委员会的重视。

The minority report caught the committee's attention.

'引起...的重视' is a common formal structure.

虽然是少数，但他们的影响力不容小觑。

Although they are a minority, their influence should not be underestimated.

'不容小觑' means 'cannot be ignored/underestimated'.

少数服从多数并不意味着忽视少数人的声音。

The minority yielding to the majority does not mean ignoring the voices of the few.

'并不意味着' is a formal way to say 'doesn't mean'.

在统计学中，少数极端值会影响平均数。

In statistics, a few extreme values can affect the average.

'极端值' means outliers or extreme values.

少数派政党在联合政府中扮演重要角色。

Minority parties play an important role in coalition governments.

'扮演...角色' means 'to play a role'.

我们要警惕多数人对少数人的“暴政”。

We must be wary of the 'tyranny' of the majority over the minority.

'暴政' (tyranny) is a high-level political term.

少数精英掌握了社会的大部分资源。

A minority of elites control most of society's resources.

'少数精英' refers to the elite few.

这个理论仅被少数尖端科学家所接受。

This theory is only accepted by a few cutting-edge scientists.

'被...所接受' is a formal passive structure.

法律的公正性体现在对少数群体权利的保障上。

The fairness of the law is reflected in the protection of the rights of minority groups.

'体现在...上' means 'is reflected in'.

尽管只有少数样本，但研究结果具有代表性。

Despite having only a few samples, the research results are representative.

'具有代表性' means 'is representative'.

少数服从多数是程序正义，而非绝对真理。

The minority yielding to the majority is procedural justice, not absolute truth.

'程序正义' (procedural justice) is a legal concept.

在某些文化中，少数特权阶层决定了历史的走向。

In certain cultures, a privileged minority determined the course of history.

'特权阶层' means privileged class.

该政策引发了少数受影响者的强烈抗议。

The policy sparked strong protests from the few affected individuals.

'受影响者' means those who are affected.

在真理面前，往往少数人掌握着正确的方向。

In the face of truth, it is often the minority who hold the correct direction.

A philosophical statement about truth and the minority.

他试图在多数人的共识中寻找少数的异见。

He tried to find minority dissents within the consensus of the majority.

'共识' (consensus) and '异见' (dissent) are high-level terms.

少数人的觉醒往往是社会变革的先声。

The awakening of a few is often the harbinger of social change.

'先声' (harbinger/precursor) is a literary term.

我们不能以牺牲少数人的利益为代价来换取多数人的幸福。

We cannot exchange the happiness of the majority at the cost of sacrificing the interests of the few.

'以...为代价' means 'at the cost of'.

在高度分化的社会，每个人都可能属于某个少数群体。

In a highly fragmented society, everyone might belong to some minority group.

'高度分化' means highly fragmented or differentiated.

该著作深刻探讨了少数派在民主进程中的边缘化问题。

This work profoundly explores the marginalization of the minority in the democratic process.

'边缘化' (marginalization) is a sociological term.

少数服从多数的原则在涉及基本人权时应受到限制。

The principle of the minority yielding to the majority should be restricted when basic human rights are involved.

'涉及' means 'involving' or 'relating to'.

通过对少数关键变量的控制，实验取得了突破性进展。

By controlling a few key variables, the experiment achieved breakthrough progress.

'关键变量' means key variables.

Common Collocations

少数人

少数民族

少数服从多数

少数派

少数情况

占少数

极少数

少数股东

少数意见

少数几个

Common Phrases

少数服从多数

— The minority yields to the majority. This is the standard rule for voting or group decisions.

在民主社会，少数服从多数是基本准则。

少数民族政策

— Ethnic minority policy. Refers to government regulations regarding minority groups.

我们要落实好少数民族政策。

少数派意见

— Minority opinion. A view held by a small number of people in a group.

主审法官发表了少数派意见。

绝非少数

— Definitely not a minority. Used for emphasis to say something is common.

有这种想法的人绝非少数。

仅占少数

— To only occupy a minority. Used to describe a small percentage.

赞成票在这次投票中仅占少数。

少数人的特权

— The privilege of the few. Refers to exclusive benefits.

教育不应该是少数人的特权。

少数成功者

— A few winners/successes. Refers to the elite group that succeeds.

他是那少数成功者之一。

少数关键

— The vital few. Often used in management (Pareto principle).

我们要抓住少数关键问题。

少数剩余

— The few remaining. Refers to what is left over.

这是少数剩余的库存。

少数服从

— Minority yielding/obeying. Part of the larger democratic phrase.

程序上要求少数服从。

Often Confused With

少数 vs 很少 (hěn shǎo)

'很少' is an adverb meaning 'rarely' or 'very few', used to describe frequency or general quantity. '少数' is a noun/modifier.

少数 vs 少量 (shǎoliàng)

'少量' is for uncountable things like water or salt. '少数' is for countable things like people or countries.

少数 vs 稀少 (xīshǎo)

'稀少' implies scarcity or being spread thin, while '少数' is just a neutral numerical count.

Idioms & Expressions

"少数服从多数"

— The core principle of democratic decision-making where the smaller group accepts the larger group's choice.

大家投票吧，少数服从多数。

Formal/Neutral

"以少胜多"

— To defeat a large force with a small one. While it uses '少', it relates to the power of the minority.

这场战役是以少胜多的典型。

Literary

"众寡悬殊"

— A huge disparity between the many and the few. Often used in military or competitive contexts.

由于双方众寡悬殊，弱方很快就失败了。

Formal

"寡不敌众"

— The few cannot resist the many. A common idiom for being outnumbered.

他虽然勇敢，但终因寡不敌众而撤退。

Neutral

"寥寥无几"

— Very few; can be counted on one's fingers. A more descriptive way to say 'minority'.

来参加讲座的人寥寥无几。

Literary

"凤毛麟角"

— As rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns. Refers to an extremely rare minority of talent.

像他这样的人才真是凤毛麟角。

Honorific

"微乎其微"

— Very slight; negligible. Describes a minority so small it barely matters.

成功的希望微乎其微。

Neutral

"百里挑一"

— One in a hundred. Describes a high-quality minority.

这些选手都是百里挑一的精英。

Neutral

"不可多得"

— Rare and precious. Describes a minority of items that are hard to find.

这是一本不可多得的好书。

Formal

"绝无仅有"

— The only one of its kind. The ultimate 'minority' of one.

这种艺术形式在世界上是绝无仅有的。

Formal

Easily Confused

少数 vs 少数 (shǎoshù)

Both relate to small amounts.

少数 is for countable groups (minority of people).

少数人参加了活动。

少数 vs 少量 (shǎoliàng)

Both relate to small amounts.

少量 is for uncountable masses (small amount of salt).

请加少量盐。

少数 vs 个别 (gèbié)

Both refer to a small number.

个别 refers to isolated individuals; 少数 refers to a small group.

这只是个别案例。

少数 vs 稀少 (xīshǎo)

Both mean 'few'.

稀少 emphasizes rarity or low density (sparse).

这里人烟稀少。

少数 vs 极少 (jíshǎo)

Both mean 'very few'.

极少 is an adverb (rarely/very little); 极少数 is the noun form.

他极少说话。

Sentence Patterns

只有少数 + Noun

只有少数学生。

多数...，少数...

多数人喝茶，少数人喝水。

少数服从多数

这是规则：少数服从多数。

在少数情况下...

在少数情况下，计划会改变。

占少数 (比例/席位)

他们在议会中占少数。

保障少数人的...

法律保障少数人的权利。

少数人的觉醒...

少数人的觉醒改变了世界。

绝非少数

这种现象在当今社会绝非少数。

Word Family

Nouns

少数派 (shǎoshùpài - minority faction)

少数民族 (shǎoshù mínzú - ethnic minority)

多少 (duōshǎo - how much/many)

数量 (shùliàng - quantity)

少数人 (shǎoshùrén - minority of people)

极少数 (jíshǎoshù - tiny minority)

多数 (duōshù - majority)

How to Use It

frequency

High frequency in both written and spoken Chinese.

Common Mistakes

Using '少数' for uncountable things. → 少量 (shǎoliàng)
You cannot say '少数水'. You must say '少量水' because water is uncountable.
Using '少数' as a simple adjective like 'few'. → 很少 (hěn shǎo)
Instead of '这里的学生少数', you should say '这里的学生很少' or '这里的学生是少数'.
Saying '多数服从少数'. → 少数服从多数 (shǎoshù fúcóng duōshù)
This reverses the meaning of the idiom. The minority yields to the majority, not vice versa.
Using '少数' to mean 'minor' (child). → 未成年人 (wèi chéngnián rén)
'少数' is purely numerical. It never refers to a person's age.
Adding '很' to '少数'. → 极少数 (jí shǎoshù)
'很少数' is grammatically incorrect. Use '极少数' for emphasis.

Tips

Countable vs. Uncountable

Always remember that '少数' is for people and countable things. If you are talking about water, salt, or abstract effort, use '少量'.

Ethnic Minorities

When you hear '少数民族', remember it refers to the 55 recognized groups in China. It's a key part of understanding Chinese demographics.

Decision Making

Use '少数服从多数' whenever you are in a group making a decision. It's the most natural way to suggest a vote.

Formal Reports

In business or academic writing, use '占少数' to describe a smaller portion of your data. It sounds professional and precise.

The Power of '极'

Add '极' (jí) before '少数' to create '极少数' when you want to emphasize that something is incredibly rare or unique.

News Listening

If you listen to Chinese news, you will hear '少数' constantly. It's a high-frequency word in reporting on statistics and social groups.

少数 vs. 个别

Use '个别' for one or two isolated instances. Use '少数' for a small group or a statistical minority.

Character Breakdown

Break it down: 少 (few) + 数 (number). A 'few number' is a minority. This makes it easy to remember the meaning.

Rhetorical Use

Use '绝非少数' (definitely not a minority) to emphasize that something is actually quite common. It's a great rhetorical tool.

Tone Practice

Practice the 3rd tone (shǎo) and 4th tone (shù) transition. Clear tones make this word much easier for native speakers to understand.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'shǎo' as 'small' and 'shù' as 'shoes'. Imagine a 'small' number of 'shoes'—that's a minority of shoes!

Visual Association

Picture a large bowl of white rice with only three black beans. The black beans are the '少数' (minority).

Word Web

少数民族 (Ethnic minority) 多数 (Majority) 少数人 (Minority of people) 少数服从多数 (Minority yields to majority) 少数派 (Minority faction) 极少数 (Tiny minority) 少数意见 (Minority opinion) 少数权益 (Minority rights)

Challenge

Try to use '少数' in three sentences today: once for people, once for things, and once using the phrase '少数服从多数'.

Word Origin

The word is a compound of '少' (few/small) and '数' (number/count). '少' dates back to Oracle Bone Script, depicting small grains of sand. '数' originally referred to counting or calculating.

Original meaning: A small count or a few in number.

Sino-Tibetan (Chinese)

Cultural Context

When discussing '少数民族', it is important to be respectful and aware of the official status of these groups in China. Avoid using the word to imply that a group is 'lesser' than the majority.

In English, 'minority' can sometimes have a political or sensitive connotation depending on the region. In Chinese, '少数' is generally neutral or even positive when referring to cultural richness.

The concept of '少数服从多数' is taught in every Chinese school as a basic rule of group behavior. The '少数民族' song and dance performances are a staple of the CCTV New Year's Gala. 'Minority Report' (the movie/story) is translated as '少数派报告' in Chinese.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Voting/Elections

少数服从多数 (Minority yields to majority)
少数派政党 (Minority party)
占少数席位 (Hold a minority of seats)
少数票 (Minority votes)

Sociology/Culture

少数民族 (Ethnic minority)
少数群体 (Minority group)
少数文化 (Minority culture)
保护少数 (Protect the minority)

Business/Finance

少数股东 (Minority shareholder)
少数权益 (Minority interest)
少数份额 (Minority share)
少数客户 (A few customers)

Statistics/Research

少数样本 (A few samples)
少数极端值 (A few outliers)
少数情况 (Minority of cases)
占少数比例 (Account for a minority proportion)

Daily Life

少数人 (A few people)
少数时候 (Rarely)
极少数 (Tiny minority)
少数几个 (A few items)

Conversation Starters

"你觉得在团队合作中，我们应该如何平衡少数人的意见？ (How do you think we should balance minority opinions in teamwork?)"

"你对中国的少数民族文化感兴趣吗？ (Are you interested in Chinese ethnic minority culture?)"

"在你的国家，少数派政党有影响力吗？ (In your country, do minority parties have influence?)"

"你曾经在某个场合属于少数派吗？ (Have you ever belonged to a minority in a certain situation?)"

"你认为法律应该如何更好地保护少数群体的利益？ (How do you think the law should better protect the interests of minority groups?)"

Journal Prompts

描述一次你属于少数派的经历。你当时的感觉如何？ (Describe a time you were in the minority. How did you feel?)

讨论“少数服从多数”这一原则的优缺点。 (Discuss the pros and cons of the 'minority yields to majority' principle.)

如果你可以保护一种濒临消失的少数民族文化，你会选择哪种？为什么？ (If you could protect an endangered minority culture, which would you choose and why?)

在现代社会，成为“少数派”是一种优势还是劣势？ (In modern society, is being part of a 'minority' an advantage or a disadvantage?)

写一段关于如何尊重不同意见的话。 (Write a paragraph about how to respect different opinions.)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, for time, you should use '短时间' (duǎn shíjiān) or '一会儿' (yíhuìr). '少数' is primarily for countable items or groups.

'一些人' simply means 'some people' and is vague. '少数人' specifically means a minority, usually much less than 50%.

In mainland China, it is the official and respectful term for ethnic minorities. It is used in government, education, and media.

It is '少数派报告' (shǎoshùpài bàogào).

No, '少数' is a noun and cannot function as a verb.

There isn't a common idiom for the opposite, as '少数服从多数' is a fundamental social rule. You might say '多数服从少数' to describe an unfair situation, but it's not a standard phrase.

No, you should say '极少数' or '很少'. '少数' doesn't take '很' directly because it's a noun-like word.

It depends on the noun. Fixed terms don't need it.

No, 'minor' in the sense of age is '未成年人' (wèi chéngnián rén). '少数' only refers to numerical quantity.

It means 'to occupy/be in the minority'. For example, '反对者占少数' (Opponents are in the minority).