Meaning and Usage
"대다수" means "a large majority" or "most" and is used to refer to the greater part of a group, population, or cases. It is a formal noun often used in written and spoken Korean to emphasize that something applies to the majority.
Common Contexts
You will frequently see "대다수" in news reports, academic writing, and formal discussions when summarizing opinions, behaviors, or results that apply to most people or situations.
Collocations and Patterns
- 대다수의 사람들 (the majority of people): used to specify the group majority.
- 대다수 경우 (most cases): used when referring to typical or common situations.
- 대다수 학생 (most students): common in educational contexts.
Register and Nuance
"대다수" is neutral to formal and is appropriate in both spoken and written language, especially in formal or academic contexts. It is less common in casual conversation where simpler words like "많은 사람들" (many people) might be used.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "대다수" with "대부분" which also means "most" or "majority." "대부분" is more flexible and can refer to parts of things or abstract concepts, while "대다수" specifically emphasizes the majority of people or countable items. Use "대다수" when you want to stress the majority portion of a group explicitly.