HeyRuaHow to say “shy” in Irish
- Irish:
- cúthail
- English:
- shy, modest
- Word type:
- adjective
- Shier:
- níos cúthaile
- Shiest:
- is cúthaile
- Plural:
- cúthaile
- Pronunciation:
- “KOO-hil” /ˈkuːhəlʲ/
What does “cúthail” mean?
“Cúthail” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- shy
- Nervous and uneasy about meeting or talking to other people.Also: bashful, timid, diffident.
“Cúthail” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is cúthail after buachaill (boy, masculine), after girseach (girl, feminine) and after a plural.
séimhiú (the h) the ending
After a feminine noun the adjective gets a séimhiú, an h after its first letter: girseach chúthail. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: buachaill cúthail.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, cúthaile. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: girseacha cúthaile.
Shier, shiest, very shy
Tá Máire níos cúthaile ná a deirfiúr. Máire is shyer than her sister.
| shier | níos cúthaile | in the past tense: ní ba chúthaile |
|---|---|---|
| shiest | is cúthaile | in the past tense: ba chúthaile |
| as shy as | chomh cúthail le | no change after chomh |
| very shy | an-chúthail | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too shy | róchúthail | ró- lenites |
“Cúthail” in a sentence: Irish examples
With a masculine noun, a feminine noun, a plural, a comparison and on its own.
Other adjectives in Irish
More everyday Irish adjectives to learn next.
Shy in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for shy?
The Irish for shy is cúthail (pronounced “KOO-hil”). It comes after the noun: buachaill cúthail, a shy boy; girseach chúthail, a shy girl.
How do you say shier and shiest in Irish?
níos cúthaile is shier and is cúthaile is shiest. In the past tense they become ní ba chúthaile and ba chúthaile.
Why does cúthail become chúthail?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So girseach chúthail (a shy girl) but buachaill cúthail (a shy boy), because buachaill is masculine.
What is the plural of cúthail?
With a plural noun cúthail becomes cúthaile: buachaillí cúthaile, girseacha cúthaile.
How do you say very shy in Irish?
an-chúthail. Too shy is róchúthail, and as shy as is chomh cúthail le.
Does cúthail have more than one meaning?
Yes. Cúthail can mean shy or modest, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Which preposition goes with cúthail?
Use 'le' or 'roimh' for the people you are shy with: tá sé cúthail le daoine nua, or cúthail roimh strainséirí.
How is cúthail different from faiteach?
Cúthail means shy or bashful in company, while faiteach leans more towards timid or fearful.
