Meaning & use
Chinese coyote
Last updated
Meanings
nouncountabletechnicalbiology
A coyote (Canis latrans) found in China, often referring to an introduced or hybrid population.
Grammar: Countable; use 'a Chinese coyote' for one, 'Chinese coyotes' for more than one.
Patterns
- a Chinese coyote
- Chinese coyotes
- the Chinese coyote
Researchers in northern China reported sightings of a Chinese coyote near the border.
The Chinese coyote is not native to the region but has adapted to local habitats.
A Chinese coyote was photographed crossing the road at dawn.
nouncountableinformaldisapproving
A nickname for a person of Chinese descent who is cunning or sly, often used humorously or disparagingly.
Grammar: Countable; usually used in the singular with 'a' or in the plural.
Patterns
- a Chinese coyote
- call someone a Chinese coyote
In the novel, the crafty merchant is nicknamed a Chinese coyote by his rivals.
He joked that his business partner was a Chinese coyote, always finding a clever way to win.
The term 'Chinese coyote' is sometimes used as a mild insult, so use it with caution.
Word forms
| plural | Chinese coyotes |
|---|
Common combinations
- a pack of Chinese coyotes
- A pack of Chinese coyotes was spotted roaming the grasslands.
- Chinese coyote population
- The Chinese coyote population has grown steadily over the past decade.
- Chinese coyote habitat
- Conservationists are studying the Chinese coyote habitat to protect the species.
- sighting of a Chinese coyote
- There was a rare sighting of a Chinese coyote in the mountains.
Synonyms and how they differ
- coyote
- The general term for the species; 'Chinese coyote' specifies the region, so use 'coyote' when location is not important.
- brush wolf
- A colloquial North American name for the coyote; it does not imply a Chinese origin, so it is not a direct substitute.
Word family
- coyote noun
- The base species; a wild dog native to North America.
Commonly confused: Chinese coyote or Chinese wolf? Chinese coyote or coyote (pronunciation)?
Chinese coyote vs Chinese wolf
A Chinese wolf is a subspecies of gray wolf, while a Chinese coyote is a coyote; they are different animals.
Chinese coyote vs coyote (pronunciation)
Learners sometimes pronounce 'coyote' as two syllables; in American English it is often two syllables, but in British English it can be three.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'Chinese coyote' correctly?
Choose one answer.
A Chinese coyote is an animal, so 'I saw a Chinese coyote at the zoo yesterday' is correct. The other options confuse it with a bird, a language, or a plant.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “Chinese coyote”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.