majority / numerical superiority
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numerical superiority
The state in which one group is larger in number than another.
Obwohl die gegnerische Mannschaft in der Überzahl war, konnten wir das Spiel gewinnen.
Although the opposing team had numerical superiority, we were able to win the game.
The word is made up of 'über' (over/above) and 'Zahl' (number). It literally describes a situation in which a group has a 'superior number,' meaning it is larger in number.
Die Angreifer waren in der Überzahl und gewannen schnell.
The attackers had numerical superiority and won quickly.
The most common and important use is the fixed expression 'in der Überzahl sein' (to be in the majority / to have numerical superiority). Learn this combination as one unit.
Bei der Demonstration waren die Frauen in der Überzahl.
At the demonstration, women were in the majority.
In sports, especially in football/soccer or ice hockey, 'in Überzahl spielen' (to play with numerical superiority) means that one team has more players on the field because an opponent has received a penalty.
Nach der roten Karte spielte unsere Mannschaft für den Rest des Spiels in Überzahl.
After the red card, our team played with numerical superiority for the rest of the game.
majority
Mehrheit refers to more than half of an entire group. Überzahl, by contrast, directly compares two groups and says that one of them is larger in number. The key question is therefore whether the focus is on the share of the whole or on an advantage over another group.
Im Ausschuss waren die Unterstützer des Vorschlags gegenüber den Gegnern in der Überzahl.
In the committee, the proposal's supporters outnumbered its opponents.
Von den dreißig Ausschussmitgliedern unterstützte die Mehrheit den Vorschlag.
The majority of the thirty committee members supported the proposal.
