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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'minority' or 'small number' with 少数 (shǎoshù)

    Numbers & Quantity

    Structure

    少数 + Noun / 少数 + 的 + Noun

    Explanation

    少数 (shǎoshù) means "minority" or "a small number" and is used to indicate a group or quantity that is smaller relative to the whole. It commonly appears in the compound 少数民族 (shǎoshù mínzú), meaning "ethnic minority."

    Examples

    • 只有少数人反对这个提议。

      Zhǐyǒu shǎoshù rén fǎnduì zhège tíyì.

      Only a minority of people opposed this proposal.

    • 中国有五十六个民族，其中五十五个是少数民族。

      Zhōngguó yǒu wǔshíliù gè mínzú, qízhōng wǔshíwǔ gè shì shǎoshù mínzú.

      China has fifty-six ethnic groups, of which fifty-five are ethnic minorities.

    • 少数同学还没有交作业。

      Shǎoshù tóngxué hái méiyǒu jiāo zuòyè.

      A few students still haven't turned in their homework.

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