die  Minderheit

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈmɪndɐhaɪ̯t/

🤔 What does 'die Minderheit' mean?

Die Minderheit (noun, feminine) refers to a group of people or things that is numerically smaller than another group (die Mehrheit - the majority) within a larger whole. It can relate to various contexts:

• Social/Ethnic/Religious: A group distinguished from the majority society by characteristics such as origin, language, culture, or religion (e.g., nationale Minderheiten - national minorities, ethnische Minderheiten - ethnic minorities, religiöse Minderheiten - religious minorities).
• Political: A political group or party that has fewer votes or seats in parliament or in a vote than the governing or dominant group.
• Statistical/General: A proportion of less than 50% of a total (e.g., "Eine Minderheit der Schüler bevorzugt dieses Fach." - A minority of students prefers this subject.).

The word derives from "minder" (less) and the suffix "-heit" forms an abstract noun, which is typically feminine in German.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of 'die Minderheit' in Detail

"Minderheit" is a feminine noun. The article is "die". It follows the weak declension pattern for feminine nouns.

💬 Example Sentences

1. Die Rechte der nationalen Minderheit müssen geschützt werden.
   (The rights of the national minority must be protected.)
2. Nur eine kleine Minderheit der Bevölkerung sprach sich gegen das Projekt aus.
   (Only a small minority of the population spoke out against the project.)
3. Im Parlament bildet diese Partei die Minderheit.
   (In parliament, this party forms the minority.)
4. Es gibt verschiedene ethnische Minderheiten in diesem Land.
   (There are various ethnic minorities in this country.)

💡 How to Use 'Minderheit' Correctly

The term die Minderheit is frequently used in social, political, and statistical discussions.

• Typical Collocations: nationale Minderheit (national minority), ethnische Minderheit (ethnic minority), religiöse Minderheit (religious minority), sexuelle Minderheit (sexual minority), sprachliche Minderheit (linguistic minority), politische Minderheit (political minority), eine kleine/große Minderheit (a small/large minority), in der Minderheit sein (to be in the minority).
• Context: The word itself is neutral, but the context in which it's used (especially regarding social groups) can be sensitive. It's important to use it respectfully.
• Differentiation: "Minderheit" is the direct opposite of "Mehrheit" (majority). The term "Minorität" is a synonym (often used in academic contexts). "Randgruppe" (marginal group) often refers to a socially excluded group, which doesn't apply to every minority. ⚠️ Caution: Do not confuse it with "minderwertig" (inferior), which carries a strong negative judgment!

Example: "Obwohl sie in der Minderheit waren, konnten sie ihre Interessen durchsetzen." (Although they were in the minority, they were able to assert their interests.)

🧠 Mnemonics for 'die Minderheit'

For the Article: Many German nouns ending in "-heit" (like Freiheit - freedom, Schönheit - beauty, Krankheit - illness) are feminine (die). Think of "die Gruppe" (the group - also feminine). A Minderheit is a smaller group. So: die Minderheit.

For the Meaning: Minder means "less". A Minderheit has "less" members than the Mehrheit (majority). The ending -heit often denotes a state or quality (the state of being less). Less people = Minder-heit.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

🚨 Caution: Do not confuse with Minderwertigkeit (inferiority complex/state) or minderbemittelt (unintelligent/untalented).

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Lehrer: "Wenn 99 Schafe auf der Weide stehen und eines wegläuft, was bleibt dann übrig?"
Schüler: "Die Minderheit!"

Teacher asks: "If there are 99 sheep in the pasture and one runs away, what's left?"
Student: "The minority!"

✍️ Poem about the Minority

Im großen Strom, ein kleiner Teil,
die Minderheit, sucht oft ihr Heil.
Mit eig'ner Stimme, eig'nem Klang,
trotzt sie dem lauten Mehrheitsdrang.
Nicht Zahl allein bestimmt den Wert,
auch wer im Kleinen Großes ehrt.

In the great stream, a smaller part,
The minority often seeks its start.
With its own voice, its unique sound,
It defies the loud majority found.
Not numbers alone determine worth,
But also who honors greatness in small birth.

🧩 Riddle

Ich bin eine Gruppe, doch nicht die Macht,
oft zahlenmäßig schwach bedacht.
Manchmal sprech' ich 'ne and're Sprach',
leb' anders als die große Schar im Dach.
Politisch steh' ich oft beiseit'.
Wer bin ich in der Wirklichkeit?

I am a group, but not the power,
Often numerically considered lower.
Sometimes I speak another tongue,
Live differently than the great throng.
Politically, I often stand aside.
Who am I in reality, far and wide?

Solution: die Minderheit (the minority)

✨ Other Information

Word Composition:

The word "Minderheit" is composed of:

• minder: An adverb/adjective meaning "less". It's an older form related to "weniger" (less) and the English word "minor".
• -heit: A suffix used to form abstract feminine nouns, denoting a state, quality, or collective (compare Freiheit - freedom, Krankheit - illness, Menschheit - humanity).

Cultural Significance: The protection of minorities (Minderheitenschutz) is an important topic in many democratic societies and is enshrined in international law (minority rights - Minderheitenrechte).