coyote
“coyote” means “coyote” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
coyote
📝 In Action
El coyote aúlla por la noche en el desierto.
A1The coyote howls at night in the desert.
Vi un coyote corriendo cerca de la carretera.
A2I saw a coyote running near the highway.
Los coyotes son conocidos por ser animales muy astutos e inteligentes.
B1Coyotes are known for being very clever and intelligent animals.
smuggler
Also: human trafficker
📝 In Action
El coyote les cobró mucho dinero por cruzar la frontera.
B2The smuggler charged them a lot of money to cross the border.
Muchos migrantes dependen de un coyote para llegar al norte.
B2Many migrants depend on a guide to reach the north.
Las autoridades están buscando al coyote que abandonó al grupo.
C1The authorities are looking for the smuggler who abandoned the group.
fixer, middleman
📝 In Action
No quiero hacer fila en la oficina, mejor hablo con un coyote.
C1I don't want to wait in line at the office; I'd rather talk to a fixer.
Hay muchos coyotes afuera del edificio de licencias.
C1There are many middlemen outside the licensing building.
Vocabulary Collections
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: coyote
Question 1 of 3
If someone is a 'coyote' at a government building, what are they likely doing?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Nahuatl word 'coyotl', which was the name used by the Aztecs for this animal before the Spanish arrival in the Americas.
First recorded: 16th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'coyote' a bad word?
When referring to the animal, it's neutral. When referring to people, it can be negative because it often implies illegal activities or taking advantage of people in difficult situations.
Why is the word the same in English and Spanish?
English borrowed the word directly from Mexican Spanish, which had originally borrowed it from the indigenous Nahuatl language.
Can I use 'coyota' for a woman?
In some regions like Mexico, 'coyota' is used for a female fixer or even a specific type of mixed heritage, but it's very informal and can be offensive. Stick to 'el coyote' for the general concept.