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Buffer in Irish (Maolaí): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage

‘maolaí’ also means: buffer (computing)

The Irish for buffer is maolaí, a masculine noun (plural maolaithe).
Updated October 2026Report a mistake

How to say “buffer” in Irish

Irish:
maolaí
English:
buffer, buffer (computing)
Word type:
noun
Gender:
masculine
Pronunciation:
“MWEE-lee”  /ˈmˠiːlˠiː/
Various forms
Plural:
maolaithe (buffers)
Genitive singular:
maolaí, an mhaolaí (e.g. toilleadh an mhaolaí, the capacity of the buffer)
Genitive plural:
maolaithe, na maolaithe (e.g. úsáid na maolaithe, the use of buffers)

What does “maolaí” mean?

“Maolaí” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.

buffer
Something that softens or absorbs a shock or impact, such as a buffer on a railway carriage or a cushioning device.Also: shock absorber, cushion, damper.
1 other meaning: buffer (computing)
2buffer (computing)
An area of computer memory that holds data temporarily while it is being moved or processed.Also: buffer, data buffer, memory buffer.

“Maolaí” with the article

The plural of buffer in Irish is maolaithe. Here is maolaí after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an maolaí
the buffer
No change after an
na maolaithe
the buffers
Plural: no change after na

“Maolaí” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using maolaí, the Irish word for buffer.

Bhuail an traein an maolaí ag deireadh an ardáin.
The train hit the buffer at the end of the platform.
Tá maolaí ar gach carráiste den traein.
There is a buffer on every carriage of the train.
Líonadh an maolaí go tapa leis na sonraí.
The buffer filled up quickly with the data.
Cuireadh maolaithe nua ar na vaigíní.
New buffers were fitted to the wagons.
Tá fadhb le méid an mhaolaí sa ríomhchlár.
There is a problem with the size of the buffer in the program.
Coimeádtar na sonraí sa mhaolaí ar feadh tamaillín.
The data is kept in the buffer for a short while.
Feidhmíonn an stát mar mhaolaí idir an dá thír.
The state acts as a buffer between the two countries.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

Buffer in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for buffer?

The Irish for buffer is maolaí (pronounced “MWEE-lee”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is maolaithe. Depending on context it can also mean buffer (computing).

How do you pronounce maolaí in Irish?

Maolaí is said like “MWEE-lee” (IPA /ˈmˠiːlˠiː/).

What is the plural of buffer in Irish?

The plural of maolaí is maolaithe; with the article, na maolaithe means “the buffers”. The genitive plural is maolaithe, as in úsáid na maolaithe (the use of buffers).

Does maolaí have more than one meaning?

Yes. Maolaí can mean buffer or buffer (computing), depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does maolaí change to mhaolaí?

After words like mo (my) and do (your) the first letter is lenited: mo mhaolaí. After ár (our) it stays ár maolaí, because m does not take eclipsis.

How is 'maolaí' related to the verb 'maolaigh'?

'Maolaí' comes from 'maolaigh', to soften or blunt, so a 'maolaí' is literally something that softens a blow or impact.

Is 'maolaí' the same as 'maolán'?

Both are used for 'buffer', and 'maolán' is the form you will often see in technical terminology, so it is worth knowing both.

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