die Mehrzahl
majority
The largest part of a group of people or things; the majority.
EXAMPLE
Die Mehrzahl der Befragten sprach sich für die neue Regelung aus.
The majority of respondents spoke in favor of the new regulation.
die Mehrzahl
majority / plural
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Meanings
die Mehrzahl
plural
The grammatical form of a word that is used when more than one person or thing is being referred to; the plural.
EXAMPLE
Die Mehrzahl des Wortes „Kind“ lautet „Kinder“.
The plural of the word 'Kind' (child) is 'Kinder' (children).
Usage tips
Word composition
The word 'Mehrzahl' is composed of 'mehr' (more) and 'Zahl' (number). It literally means a 'larger number' or 'amount', which fits both meanings.
EXAMPLE
Die Mehrzahl der Stimmen entschied die Wahl.
The majority of the votes decided the election.
Context clue
You can recognize the meaning from context. If you are talking about groups of people or things, it means 'Majorität' (majority). If you are talking about grammar and words, it means 'Plural' (plural).
EXAMPLE
Die Mehrzahl der Anwohner ist gegen den Bau der neuen Straße.
The majority of residents are against the construction of the new road.
Sentence structure and verb form
In the meaning of 'Majorität' (majority), 'die Mehrzahl' often appears with 'von' and a noun in the plural. Although 'Mehrzahl' is singular, in colloquial German the verb after it is often in the plural, referring to the group.
EXAMPLE
Die Mehrzahl der Gäste sind schon gegangen.
The majority of the guests have already left.
Grammatical context
This meaning of 'Mehrzahl' is used exclusively in the context of language and grammar to name the plural form of a noun.
EXAMPLE
Im Deutschunterricht lernen wir heute, wie man die Mehrzahl bildet.
In German class today, we are learning how to form the plural.
Compare with
Mehrzahl vs Mehrheit
majority
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.
Mehrzahl
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.
Mehrheit
Bei der Abstimmung unterstützte die Mehrheit der Mitglieder den neuen Plan.
The majority of the members supported the new plan in the vote.
In real life
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