HeyRuaHow to say “buffalo” in Irish
- Irish:
- buabhall
- English:
- buffalo, horn, drinking-horn
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine, first declension
- Pronunciation:
- “BOO-uh-vul” /ˈbˠuəvˠəl̪ˠ/
- Plural:
- buabhaill (buffalos)
- Genitive singular:
- buabhaill, an bhuabhaill (e.g. adharca an bhuabhaill, the buffalo's horns)
- Genitive plural:
- buabhall, na mbuabhall (e.g. tréad na mbuabhall, the herd of the buffaloes)
What does “buabhall” mean?
“Buabhall” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- buffalo
- A large wild ox, such as the water buffalo or the American bison.Also: bison, wild ox.
2 other meanings: horn or drinking-horn
- 2horn
- A horn used as a musical or signalling instrument, such as a bugle or hunting horn.Also: bugle, hunting horn.
- 3drinking-horn
- A hollowed animal horn used in former times as a drinking vessel.Also: drinking horn.
“Buabhall” with the article
The plural of buffalo in Irish is buabhaill. Here is buabhall after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Buabhall” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using buabhall, the Irish word for buffalo.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Buffalo in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for buffalo?
The Irish for buffalo is buabhall (pronounced “BOO-uh-vul”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is buabhaill. Depending on context it can also mean horn or drinking-horn.
How do you pronounce buabhall in Irish?
Buabhall is said like “BOO-uh-vul” (IPA /ˈbˠuəvˠəl̪ˠ/).
What is the plural of buffalo in Irish?
The plural of buabhall is buabhaill; with the article, na buabhaill means “the buffalos”. The genitive plural is buabhall, as in tréad na mbuabhall (the herd of the buffaloes).
Does buabhall have more than one meaning?
Yes. Buabhall can mean buffalo, horn or drinking-horn, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does buabhall change to bhuabhall or mbuabhall?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) buabhall becomes mo bhuabhall (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár mbuabhall (eclipsis).
Is 'buabhall' only an animal?
No: besides 'buffalo', buabhall also means a horn instrument or bugle, and historically a drinking-horn. Context tells you which.
What is the word for an American bison?
Bíosún is the precise word, but buabhall is widely used for the American buffalo too.
