少数(しょうすう)

しょうすう
noun
minority; small number
See also: 小数(しょうすう) (homophone — decimal)
1. minority; small number
A relatively small number or group compared to the whole.
少数(しょうすう)派(は)の意見(いけん)も大切(たいせつ)だ。
The opinions of the minority are also important.
少数(しょうすう)の人(ひと)だけが知(し)っている。
Only a few people know.
2. decimal (mathematics)
A number less than one expressed with a decimal point.
少数(しょうすう)点(てん)の計算(けいさん)をする。
To calculate with decimals.
少数(しょうすう)第二(だいに)位(い)まで求(もと)めなさい。
Calculate to the second decimal place.
0.5は少数(しょうすう)で表(あらわ)した数(かず)だ。
0.5 is a number expressed as a decimal.

少数(しょうすう) has two distinct meanings: minority/small number and decimal (mathematics).

MEANING 1 - MINORITY:

  • 少数(しょうすう)派(は): minority group
  • 少数(しょうすう)民族(みんぞく): ethnic minority
  • 少数(しょうすう)精鋭(せいえい): select few, elite group
  • 少数(しょうすう)意見(いけん): minority opinion

MEANING 2 - DECIMAL:

CONTRAST:

  • 少数(しょうすう): minority, few
  • 多数(たすう): majority, many
  • 多数決(たすうけつ): majority vote

NOTE:
Don't confuse with 小数(しょうすう) (also decimal) which uses different kanji but has the same reading.

Related Words

Antonym: 多数(たすう) (majority)
Related: 過半数(かはんすう) (majority (over half))
general
Added 2026.1.16 17:18 · Revised 2026.6.18 1:27
05500/05611_shousuu