minority
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outnumbered
The state in which one group has fewer members than another, opposing group, especially in sports or in a conflict.
Nach der roten Karte musste die Mannschaft fast eine halbe Stunde in Unterzahl spielen.
After the red card, the team had to play outnumbered for almost half an hour.
The word is made up of the prefix 'Unter-' (in the sense of 'less than normal') and 'Zahl' (number). So it literally describes a state in which the number of people is too low.
Die Verteidiger waren in der Unterzahl und konnten das Tor nicht verhindern.
The defenders were outnumbered and couldn't prevent the goal.
This noun is used almost exclusively in the fixed expression 'in Unterzahl' (outnumbered / short-handed). It describes a state and is rarely used with an article like 'die Unterzahl'.
Es ist schwer, in Unterzahl ein Spiel zu gewinnen.
It is hard to win a game when you are outnumbered.
The expression 'in Unterzahl' (outnumbered / short-handed) is often combined with the verbs 'sein' (to be), 'spielen' (to play), 'kämpfen' (to fight), or 'geraten' (to end up). The context is often sports or a conflict.
Nach dem Ausfall eines Spielers geriet die Mannschaft in Unterzahl.
After one player was sidelined, the team ended up outnumbered.
minority
Minderheit and Unterzahl both mean that one group is smaller in number. Minderheit usually describes the smaller part of a group, while Unterzahl refers to a specific numerical disadvantage compared with an opposing group. Use Unterzahl especially in a game or conflict.
Unsere Mannschaft spielte wegen zweier Verletzungen lange in Unterzahl.
Our team played short-handed for a long time because of two injuries.
Bei der Abstimmung waren die Befürworter des Vorschlags in der Minderheit.
The supporters of the proposal were in the minority in the vote.
