shǎoshù: 少数 - Minority, Small Number, Few

• Keywords: shǎoshù, shao shu, 少数, minority in Chinese, Chinese ethnic minorities, 少数民族, small number in Chinese, few, HSK 4 vocabulary, Chinese word for minority
• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese word 少数 (shǎoshù), which means “minority,” “a small number,” or “few.” This HSK 4 term is crucial not only for discussing quantities but also for understanding the important cultural and social concept of China's ethnic minorities (少数民族, shǎoshù mínzú). This guide will break down its characters, cultural significance, and practical use with many examples.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): shǎo shù
• Part of Speech: Noun, Adjective
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: A small number of people or things; a minority.
• In a Nutshell: 少数 (shǎoshù) is a straightforward and fundamental term used to describe a smaller part of a larger whole. Think of it as the opposite of “majority.” Whether you're talking about a minority opinion in a meeting, a few students who passed an exam, or the diverse ethnic groups in China, 少数 is the word you'll use. It's a key term for counting, statistics, and social description.

• 少 (shǎo): This character means “few,” “little,” or “less.” It's a simple, foundational character often learned early on, contrasting with 多 (duō), which means “many.”
• 数 (shù): This character means “number,” “figure,” or “to count.” It signifies a quantity or a calculation.
• When combined, the logic is very clear: 少 (shǎo) + 数 (shù) literally translates to “few number,” which perfectly captures the meaning of “a small number” or “a minority.”

The most significant cultural application of 少数 (shǎoshù) is in the term 少数民族 (shǎoshù mínzú), which translates to “ethnic minorities.” This concept is central to the identity and structure of modern China. China officially recognizes 56 ethnic groups. The largest group, the Han (汉族, Hànzú), makes up over 90% of the population and is considered the majority. The other 55 groups are collectively referred to as 少数民族. While the English word “minority” can sometimes carry heavy connotations of social struggle and marginalization, the official Chinese framing of 少数民族 often emphasizes national unity and cultural diversity. Government narratives and media portrayals frequently highlight the colorful costumes, unique festivals, and traditional arts of these groups as an integral part of the larger, unified “Chinese Nation” (中华民族, Zhōnghuá Mínzú). This is a point of contrast with some Western discourse, where the “majority vs. minority” dynamic can be framed more adversarially. Understanding the term 少数民族 is therefore not just a language point, but a window into China's social policy and self-perception.

少数 is a versatile word used in various contexts, from casual conversation to formal reports.

• As a Noun (A Minority): It can stand alone or be followed by a noun to mean “a minority of…”
  • e.g., 只有少数同意。 (Zhǐyǒu shǎoshù tóngyì.) - Only a minority agrees.
• As an Adjective (Few): It can describe a noun as being small in number.
  • e.g., 少数学生 (shǎoshù xuéshēng) - a few students.
• In Social and Political Contexts: The phrase `少数服从多数 (shǎoshù fúcóng duōshù)`—“the minority must obey the majority”—is a common principle in decision-making, similar to the concept of majority rule.
• Referring to Ethnic Minorities: As discussed, 少数民族 (shǎoshù mínzú) is the standard and official term. You will see and hear it constantly in news, travel guides, and official documents.

• Example 1:
  • 只有少数人知道这个秘密。
  • Pinyin: Zhǐyǒu shǎoshù rén zhīdào zhège mìmì.
  • English: Only a small number of people know this secret.
  • Analysis: This is a classic, straightforward use of 少数 to mean “a small number of” or “a few.” It emphasizes that the group is a small part of a larger whole (of people who could potentially know).
• Example 2:
  • 在我们公司，女性占少数。
  • Pinyin: Zài wǒmen gōngsī, nǚxìng zhàn shǎoshù.
  • English: In our company, women are in the minority.
  • Analysis: Here, 少数 is used as a noun to describe a demographic status within a specific group (the company).
• Example 3:
  • 云南省有很多少数民族。
  • Pinyin: Yúnnán shěng yǒu hěn duō shǎoshù mínzú.
  • English: Yunnan Province has many ethnic minorities.
  • Analysis: This is the most important compound word using 少数. It's a fixed term used to talk about China's non-Han ethnic groups.
• Example 4:
  • 我们必须尊重少数人的意见。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen bìxū zūnzhòng shǎoshù rén de yìjiàn.
  • English: We must respect the opinions of the minority.
  • Analysis: This sentence uses 少数 in a context of group dynamics or politics, similar to its use in English.
• Example 5:
  • 会议决定，少数服从多数。
  • Pinyin: Huìyì juédìng, shǎoshù fúcóng duōshù.
  • English: The meeting decided that the minority should submit to the majority.
  • Analysis: This showcases the common set phrase `少数服从多数`, which represents the principle of majority rule.
• Example 6:
  • 尽管大多数人都反对，但少数支持者仍然很热情。
  • Pinyin: Jǐnguǎn dàduōshù rén dōu fǎnduì, dàn shǎoshù zhīchízhě réngrán hěn rèqíng.
  • English: Although the majority of people were opposed, the minority of supporters were still very enthusiastic.
  • Analysis: This sentence directly contrasts 少数 with its antonym, `多数 (duōshù)` or `大多数 (dàduōshù)`.
• Example 7:
  • 这次考试，只有少数学生及格了。
  • Pinyin: Zhècì kǎoshì, zhǐyǒu shǎoshù xuéshēng jígé le.
  • English: In this exam, only a few students passed.
  • Analysis: A very practical example of using 少数 to describe the result of something, implying that most people did not pass.
• Example 8:
  • 这是一种非常罕见的疾病，只有极少数人会得。
  • Pinyin: Zhè shì yìzhǒng fēicháng hǎnjiàn de jíbìng, zhǐyǒu jí shǎoshù rén huì dé.
  • English: This is a very rare disease that only an extremely small number of people get.
  • Analysis: The adverb `极 (jí)`, meaning “extremely,” can be used to modify 少数 to emphasize how small the number is.
• Example 9:
  • 你属于幸运的少数。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ shǔyú xìngyùn de shǎoshù.
  • English: You belong to the lucky few.
  • Analysis: This shows how 少数 can be used in a positive sense, to denote an exclusive or special group.
• Example 10:
  • 少数问题车辆已被召回。
  • Pinyin: Shǎoshù wèntí chēliàng yǐ bèi zhàohuí.
  • English: A small number of problematic vehicles have been recalled.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates a more formal, written style, as you might see in a news report.

• Mistake 1: Confusing `少数 (shǎoshù)` with `一些 (yìxiē)` or `几个 (jǐ ge)`.
  • `一些` and `几个` simply mean “some” or “a few.” They describe a small quantity without any reference to a larger group.
  • `少数` means “a minority.” It implies a small part of a larger whole.
  • Correct: 我有一些朋友。 (Wǒ yǒu yìxiē péngyou.) - I have some friends.
  • Incorrect: 我有少数朋友。 (Wǒ yǒu shǎoshù péngyou.) - This sounds very strange, as if you're comparing your friends to a “majority” of something else. Use this only if the context is, “Among all the people I know, only a minority are my friends.”
• Mistake 2: Using `少数` for things that aren't part of a clear group.
  • `少数` is best for countable nouns that belong to a defined set (people in a room, cars produced, opinions on a topic). You wouldn't use it for “a minority of water” or “a minority of air.”
• “False Friend” Warning: Underage Minor
  • In English, a “minor” can refer to someone who is underage. 少数 never has this meaning. The Chinese term for an underage person is `未成年人 (wèi chéngnián rén)`.

• 多数 (duōshù) - The direct antonym of 少数; it means “majority” or “most.”
• 少数民族 (shǎoshù mínzú) - The most important related term, meaning “ethnic minority.”
• 大部分 (dàbùfen) - “The greater part,” “the majority.” Often interchangeable with `多数`.
• 一些 (yìxiē) - “Some,” “a few.” Used for a small quantity without the “minority” connotation.
• 几个 (jǐ ge) - “Several,” “a few.” More colloquial than 少数 and used for a small absolute number.
• 服从 (fúcóng) - “To obey,” “to submit to.” Used in the common phrase `少数服从多数`.
• 个别 (gèbié) - “Individual,” “a very few,” “one or two.” This implies an even smaller number than 少数 and often refers to exceptional cases.
• 群众 (qúnzhòng) - “The masses,” “the crowd.” This can represent the “majority” from which a 少数 is distinguished.