majority
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majority
The larger part of a group of people or things; more than half of the total number.
Die Mehrheit der Anwohner sprach sich gegen den Bau der neuen Straße aus.
The majority of residents spoke out against the construction of the new road.
majority
The political party or coalition that has more than half the seats in a parliament or committee and can therefore push through decisions.
Die Regierung verlor bei der Abstimmung ihre parlamentarische Mehrheit.
The government lost its parliamentary majority in the vote.
The word is made up of 'mehr' (more) and the ending '-heit'. The ending '-heit' forms abstract nouns. 'Mehrheit' (majority) therefore literally describes the state of being 'more'.
Die Mehrheit ist der Teil einer Gruppe, der zahlenmäßig größer ist.
The majority is the part of a group that is larger in number.
'Mehrheit' is very often used with a noun in the genitive plural, e.g. 'die Mehrheit der Menschen' (the majority of people). In standard German, the verb that refers to 'die Mehrheit' is singular.
Die Mehrheit der Studierenden ist mit der neuen Regelung einverstanden.
The majority of students are in agreement with the new rule.
Certain adjectives are often used to describe the size of a majority. Typical combinations are 'eine knappe Mehrheit' (a narrow majority), 'eine große Mehrheit' (a large majority), or 'eine überwältigende Mehrheit' (an overwhelming majority).
Der Vorschlag wurde mit einer knappen Mehrheit angenommen.
The proposal was accepted by a narrow majority.
In news and political discussions, 'die Mehrheit' often refers to the party or coalition that has more than half the seats in a parliament. This is called the 'parlamentarische Mehrheit' (parliamentary majority).
Die Regierung verfügt über eine stabile Mehrheit im Bundestag.
The government has a stable majority in the Bundestag.
majority / plural
Mehrheit and Mehrzahl both refer to the larger part of a group. Mehrheit is especially suitable when people are voting or acting together. Mehrzahl focuses more on the numerical distribution of people or things; in many general statements, however, both words are possible.
Bei der Abstimmung unterstützte die Mehrheit der Mitglieder den neuen Plan.
The majority of the members supported the new plan in the vote.
Bei der Befragung bewertete die Mehrzahl der Mitglieder den neuen Plan positiv.
The majority of the members rated the new plan positively in the survey.
