I believe it means "shy" and it seems perfect for a young cat we have adopted (yes, on St. Patrick's Day). Any help pronouncing it would certainly be appreciated. Thanks

I believe the word "cotúil" has more of a negative connonation than positive. It would probably translate more as "self-conscious" than "shy".

There's another word, "cúthail", which would translate more as "bashful", and has a much more positive feel to it.

"cotúil" can be pronounced:

cot tool
("cot" as in the bed a baby sleeps in)
("tool" as in a screwdriver or hammer)


"cúthail" can be pronounced:

coo hill
("coo" rhymes with "who".)
("hill" as in a small mountain.)

(Message edited by Fear_na_mBróg on April 06, 2006)

FnaB's suggestion is a good one. "Cúthail" is certainly the more common word. Is has a variant, "cúthalach", which is also widely used, if you prefer three syllables and a little rough breathing at the end (like Scottish "loCH", German "aCH", etc.): KOO-huh-luhKH.

I'm not sure, however, that "cotúil" is more negative. They both mean pretty much the same to me: bashful, shy. I wonder if the difference between them is originally more a matter of dialect.
The etymology of "cúthail" is unknown, according to LEIA, and "cotúil" and "cotadh" are not listed.

Dála an scéil, chuir "cúthail" scéal grinn i gcuimhne dom. Féach thíos, sa rannóg lán-Ghaeilge.

From Ó Dónaill's Foclóir Gaeilge-Bearla (Irish-English Dictionary) we have:

cotúil: Bashful, shy

cútail: 1. Bashful, shy 2. Diffident, modest; quiet
(variations: cúthal(ach), cúthalta)

So, no mention of anything negative with cotúil. Sounds like a good name - congratulations on your new family member!

"Cot tool" she shall be. Thank you all for the information, and the interesting conversation.