How to say "buffer" in Japanese

• 緩衝かんしょうCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbCovers buffer in the sense of cushioning or shock absorption — the action or effect of softening impact between things. Typical in physical and mechanical contexts describing how something absorbs blows or vibration.
• バッファ
  nounThe loanword for buffer, mainly in computing and technology, meaning a temporary storage area that evens out the flow of data. This is the natural choice for IT and technical writing.
  外国人労働者がいこくじんろうどうしゃは日本にっぽん経済けいざいのバッファーであってはならない。↗

  We should not use foreign workers as a buffer against Japan's economic slowdown.
• 緩衝装置かんしょうそうち
  nounRefers to a buffer as a physical device or mechanism that absorbs shock, as on trains or machinery. Use this when you mean the equipment itself rather than the cushioning action.
• 緩衝器かんしょうき
  nounAlso a physical shock-absorbing device; the given gloss puts shock absorber first, so for 'buffer' it is largely a synonym of 緩衝装置 and seldom the word you want unless the hardware sense fits.
• 安全圏あんぜんけん
  nounA figurative buffer in the sense of a safety zone or margin protecting you from failure or defeat, as in maintaining a buffer against losing one's seat. Not for physical or technical buffering.
  選挙せんきょで小泉こいずみ氏しはすでに安全圏あんぜんけんに入はいった。↗

  Mr Koizumi is now sure of election.

Use 緩衝 for cushioning or shock-absorbing action in general, 「バッファ」 in computing and technical contexts, 緩衝装置 or 緩衝器 for physical buffering devices, and 安全圏 only for a figurative safety margin.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 緩衝かんしょうshock absorption
• バッファbuffer
• 緩衝装置かんしょうそうちbuffer
• 緩衝器かんしょうきshock absorber
• 安全圏あんぜんけんsafety zone
• バッファ記憶バッファきおくbuffer storage
• 緩衝記憶かんしょうきおくbuffer storage