How to say "minority" in Japanese

• マイノリティーCommon
  nounThe loanword for the social sense of 'minority': an ethnic, religious, or similar group within a larger population. Typical in discussion of minority rights, discrimination, and representation; not for the numerical or legal senses.
• 少数しょうすうJLPT N1approx.Common
  adverb, no-adjectiveCovers the numerical sense: a small number, or the minority side in a vote or count, as opposed to the majority. It is about quantity rather than a social group; for that, use マイノリティー.
  ヨットは少数しょうすうの金持かねもちだけが楽たのしめるものだ。↗

  Yachts are for the wealthy few.
• 未成年みせいねんCommon
  no-adjectiveCovers only the legal sense: being under age, or an underage person. A legal and administrative term, found in contexts such as contracts and guardianship; never the word for a social or numerical minority.
  君きみは未成年みせいねんだから入いれません。↗

  Because you're a minor, you can't enter.

Use 「マイノリティー」 for social or ethnic minority groups, 少数 for the numerical sense of a small number or the smaller side in a count, and 未成年 only for the legal sense of being under age.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• マイノリティーminority
• 少数しょうすうsmall number
• 未成年みせいねんminority (i.e. being under age)
• 寡かminority
• 少数派しょうすうはminority group (party)