pekingese
C1Formal, technical (breed-specific), historical
Definition
Meaning
A breed of small dog with a long, silky coat, a flat face, and a curled tail, originally from China.
A native or inhabitant of Peking (Beijing). Can also refer to things characteristic of or originating from Peking.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Capitalisation varies. Typically capitalised as a proper noun (Pekingese) when referring to the breed or the people. The adjectival form 'pekingese' (lowercase) is rare. The primary modern use is for the dog breed.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: UK retains 'Pekingese'; US sometimes uses 'Pekingese' but 'Peke' is common in informal contexts in both. The city name shift from 'Peking' to 'Beijing' has made the term feel somewhat dated.
Connotations
Both share connotations of antiquity, lapdogs, aristocracy. The term for the people is now archaic/historical in both varieties.
Frequency
Low frequency in both, primarily in dog breed contexts. The demonym is virtually obsolete.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The [Adjective] PekingeseA Pekingese [Verb: e.g., barked, sat]The breed known as the PekingeseVocabulary
Synonyms
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually unused.
Academic
Used in historical or Sinological texts referring to inhabitants of pre-modern Peking. Also in veterinary/zoology contexts for the breed.
Everyday
Almost exclusively used when discussing dog breeds.
Technical
A standard breed name in kennel club classifications worldwide.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- The pekingese court rituals were elaborate.
- He studied pekingese porcelain.
American English
- The Pekingese court rituals were elaborate.
- He studied Pekingese porcelain.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I saw a small Pekingese in the park.
- My neighbour has a fluffy Pekingese that barks a lot.
- The Pekingese, once reserved for Chinese royalty, is now a popular companion dog worldwide.
- Despite its imperial pedigree, the Pekingese's distinctive brachycephalic features necessitate careful veterinary monitoring.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a small dog being carried in a sedan chair in PEKing, living with EASE – a PEKing-ease.
Conceptual Metaphor
LUXURY/FRAGILITY AS A SMALL DOG (e.g., 'He treated the vintage car like a Pekingese').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate as 'пекинский' for the dog breed; the established term is 'пекинес'.
- The demonym 'пекинец' (male) / 'пекинка' (female) exists but is less common than 'житель Пекина'.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling: 'Pekinese' (common but non-standard).
- Using lower case 'p' for the breed name.
- Confusing it with 'Shih Tzu' or other small Asian breeds.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a correct statement about the word 'Pekingese'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The standard spelling for the dog breed is 'Pekingese'. 'Pekinese' is a common variant but is considered non-standard by major kennel clubs and dictionaries.
Yes, historically it was a demonym for a person from Peking (Beijing). However, this usage is now archaic. Modern English uses 'Beijing resident' or simply 'from Beijing'.
The common informal name is 'Peke' (pronounced /piːk/).
The breed was introduced to the West and named during a period when 'Peking' was the standard romanisation for the city's name in English. The name of the breed has remained fixed despite the change in the city's English name to 'Beijing'.