Translation guide
In Japanese, the general term for cooking oil is 食用油 (しょくようあぶら), but in everyday conversation, people usually refer to specific types like サラダ油 (salad oil) or ごま油 (sesame oil). The word 油 (あぶら) alone can mean oil in general, including non-edible oils, so context is important.
The broad category of oil used for cooking, such as vegetable oil, canola oil, etc.
Formal or written term for edible/cooking oil. Used on labels and in recipes.
This cooking oil is suitable for deep-frying.
General word for oil/fat. In cooking contexts, it's understood as cooking oil, but can be ambiguous.
Can also mean petroleum or non-edible oils. Use context to clarify.
The standard light-colored vegetable oil used for everyday cooking, frying, and dressings.
Oil extracted from sesame seeds, used for flavoring Asian dishes.
Oil pressed from olives, used in Western and fusion cooking.
Less common but still encountered oils like canola, rapeseed, coconut, etc.
油 (あぶら) alone can mean any kind of oil, including petroleum or motor oil. In a kitchen context, it's usually clear, but if you need to be specific, use 食用油 or the specific oil name.
If you want to ask for oil (e.g., olive oil for bread), you can say 「オリーブオイルをください」. For generic cooking oil, it's better to ask for the specific type.
フライパンに油をひいてください。
Please put some oil in the frying pan.
Literally 'salad oil'. The most common all-purpose cooking oil in Japanese households, typically a blend of canola, soybean, etc.
I stir-fry vegetables with salad oil.
Sesame oil. A staple in Japanese and other Asian cuisines. Often used as a finishing oil or for stir-frying.
I add a few drops of sesame oil to the spinach ohitashi.
Olive oil. Commonly used in Italian and Mediterranean dishes, and increasingly in Japanese fusion cuisine.
I use extra virgin olive oil for pasta.
Rapeseed/canola oil. Sometimes used in traditional cooking or as a healthier alternative.
Rapeseed oil is good for tempura.
Coconut oil. Used in some health-conscious or tropical recipes.
I made pancakes with coconut oil.
This dish uses a lot of cooking oil.
油 is fine when context is clear