多數

Mostly

Level 3Sounds Like do1 sou3

多數 (do1 sou3) is the go-to word for 'mostly' or 'usually'. It can describe how often something happens (adverb) or refer to the larger part of a group (noun).

How It Works

多數 (do1 sou3) is a high-frequency term essential for expressing generalities and likelihood.

1. Adverbial Usage (Mostly/Usually)
When used as an adverb, it appears before the verb. It often implies a statistical likelihood rather than just a habit. In this position, it is naturally followed by 都 (dou1) to reinforce the 'all/mostly' sense.
Example: 我哋多數都喺屋企食。(We mostly eat at home.)

2. Noun/Quantifier Usage (Majority)
It can represent the majority of a group. It can be followed by 嘅 (ge3) or a classifier to modify a noun.
Example: 多數人都唔鍾意加班。(The majority of people don't like working overtime.)

3. Probability (Most Likely)
Unlike the word 'usually' in English, 多數 can also mean 'most likely' in a predictive sense.
Example: 佢多數唔會嚟。(He most likely won't come.)

4. Pronunciation Note
The character 數 is pronounced in the 3rd tone (sou3) here, not the 2nd tone (sou2) used for the verb 'to count'.

Examples (4)

  1. 我哋星期日多數都出街食飯。

    We mostly eat out on Sundays.

    Word by Word: We Sunday mostly all exit street eat rice.

    Here, 多數 (do1 sou3) acts as a frequency adverb, paired with 都 (dou1) before the verb phrase.

  2. 佢多數唔會嚟㗎喇。

    He most likely won't come.

    Word by Word: He mostly not will come [particle] [particle].

    In this context, 多數 (do1 sou3) expresses probability (most likely) rather than just frequency.

  3. 多數人都贊成呢個建議。

    The majority of people support this proposal.

    Word by Word: Majority people all support this [classifier] suggestion.

    Here, 多數 (do1 sou3) is used as a quantifier meaning 'the majority of'.

  4. 啲飛多數都賣晒喇。

    Most of the tickets are already sold out.

    Word by Word: [Plural classifier] tickets mostly all sell-finish [particle].

    This shows 多數 (do1 sou3) combined with the completive particle 晒 (saai3) to show the majority of a specific set is finished.

Common Mistakes

  • Thinking 都 (dou1) must follow 多數.

    Different Meaning我多數去呢間超市。
    我多數都去呢間超市。

    我多數去呢間超市 is natural. Adding 都 (dou1), as in 我多數都去呢間超市, is also common and sounds a little more settled.

  • Placing 多數 (do1 sou3) after the verb.

    我食多數喺屋企。
    我多數都喺屋企食。

    Adverbs of frequency and probability must be placed before the verb in Cantonese word order.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

多數Level 3Mostly

Learn This First

To use '多數' (mostly), you need to understand basic Cantonese sentence structure and how to place adverbs before verbs. It is also helpful to know common auxiliary verbs like '會' and negation markers like '唔', as they frequently appear in sentences describing general tendencies.

Words in This Pattern

多数