Pekingese is a noun referring to a small dog breed originating from China, characterized by its short muzzle, long coat, and regal bearing. The term combines Peking (formerly Beijing) with -ese, indicating origin or style. In usage, it denotes both the breed and, less commonly, a member of that breed, often in affectionate or descriptive contexts.
"The Pekingese trotted proudly down the sidewalk, its fur brushing against the pavement."
"She adopted a rescued Pekingese and named him Ming."
"In the pet show, a fluffy Pekingese won best coat and overall presentation."
"The museum exhibit featured artifacts related to the Pekingese breed’s history in imperial China."
The word Pekingese derives from Peking, the former English name for Beijing, and the suffix -ese, indicating origin or belonging to. The breed’s name entered English via 19th-century interactions with China, particularly after the dog’s status as a favored household companion among Chinese nobility during the Qing dynasty. The root Peking itself comes from the Mandarin Beijing (北京), with “-ese” forming adjectives or nouns in English to denote origin (as in Chinese, Japanese). Early English sources describe small dogs kept in imperial courts, with the Pekingese later widely recognized in the West after diplomatic exchanges and exhibitions. The pronunciation shift in English typically treats the initial syllable as “pee-kee,” reflecting anglicized approximations of the Mandarin syllables bf jing and gan. First known English usage appears in the 19th century, coinciding with Western encounters of the breed in Chinese contendments, and it has remained stable in modern usage, though regional pronunciations differ in vowel quality and stress placement.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Pekingese" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Pekingese"
-ing sounds
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US/UK: /ˌpeɪ.kɪŋˈiːz/ or /ˌpɪ.kɪnˈiːz/; stress typically on the third syllable, with the final -ese pronounced as /iːz/. The first two syllables are often reduced to /peɪ/ or /pɪ/ depending on speaker, but accurate rendering is ‘pe-king-eez.’ Listen to a native speaker via Pronounce or Forvo for precise audio reference.
Mistakes include misplacing stress (trying ‘PEE-ki-ness’) and mispronouncing the middle syllable as /kɒ/ instead of /kɪ/. Focus on maintaining a clear /ˈkiŋ/ rather than an exaggerated /ˈkeɪ/. Ensure the final /iːz/ has a long e, not a short i.
In US English you’ll often hear /ˌpeɪ.kɪŋˈiːz/ with a slight afterglide in the second syllable. UK speakers may favor /pɪˈkɪŋ.iːz/ with a shorter first vowel and stronger syllable-timing. Australian pronunciation is similar to UK but with a slightly flatter vowel in the first syllable and a clearer /iː/ at the end. IPA aids consistency across dialects.
Because it’s a multi-syllabic name with unfamiliar syllables for non-native speakers. The combination of • pe-, with /ˈpeɪ/ or /pɪ/ and the /-king-/ cluster, plus the final /-ezi/ or /-iːz/ requires precise vowel length and rhoticity control in some dialects. Mastery involves clear enunciation of the middle /ŋ/ and the final /iːz/.
The word’s middle consonant cluster includes a velar nasal /ŋ/ immediately after a stressed syllable, so you should avoid collapsing it into /n/. The end sounds require a voiced sibilant /z/ rather than a voiceless /s/ sound when following /iː/. Emphasize the syllable boundary between /kɪŋ/ and /iːz/.
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