Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
COYOTE in Spanish: COYOTE
Coyote · noun · koh-YOH-teh
The word coyote is spelled identically in English and Spanish because both languages borrowed it from the Nahuatl word coyōtl, the language of the Aztec civilization. While the spelling remains the same, the pronunciation differs noticeably: Spanish speakers say koh-YOH-teh with three clear syllables and a final eh sound, unlike the English two-syllable ky-OH-tee or ky-OHT. The coyote holds deep significance in Mexican folklore and Indigenous mythology across the Americas.
koh-YOH-teh
Escuchamos aullar a un coyote durante la noche.
We heard a coyote howling during the night.
Coyote in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for coyote, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| coyote | coyote | koh-YOH-teh | Default, widely understood |
| coyote | coyote | same word in both languages, from Nahuatl coyōtl |
How Native Speakers Use Coyote
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Wildlife observation
Vimos un coyote cruzando el camino al amanecer.
We saw a coyote crossing the road at dawn.
A nature observation using the animal sense of coyote.
Folklore reference
En las leyendas, el coyote es un animal astuto y tramposo.
In legends, the coyote is a cunning and tricky animal.
Refers to the coyote as a trickster figure in traditional stories.
Rural conversation
Los rancheros protegen a sus gallinas de los coyotes.
The ranchers protect their chickens from coyotes.
A practical rural context involving livestock and coyotes.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Coyote
English pronunciation in Spanish
Incorrect: Vi un /ky-OH-tee/ en el campo. (using English pronunciation)
Correct: Vi un /koh-YOH-teh/ en el campo.
Pronouncing coyote with only two syllables and an English ee ending marks you as a non-native speaker; the three-syllable Spanish pronunciation is standard.
Adding unnecessary translation
Incorrect: Vi un lobo-perro salvaje en el desierto.
Correct: Vi un coyote en el desierto.
Coyote is already a Spanish word with no need for a workaround description like wild wolf-dog, which is inaccurate and would confuse listeners.
Lock in Coyote Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Coyote used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using coyote in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Escuchamos aullar a un coyote durante la noche. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.
Common Questions About Coyote in Spanish
- Is 'coyote' originally a Spanish word?
- The word actually predates both Spanish and English usage, originating from the Nahuatl language spoken by the Aztecs, and it entered Spanish during the colonial period before being adopted into English.
- How many syllables does 'coyote' have in Spanish?
- In Spanish, coyote has three syllables — co-yo-te — with the stress on the second syllable yo, unlike the English version which is commonly pronounced with two syllables.
- Does 'coyote' have any slang meanings in Spanish?
- In Mexican and Central American Spanish, coyote can informally refer to a person who facilitates various transactions as a middleman, which is a colloquial usage distinct from the animal meaning.