Translation guide
In Japanese, 'fuel oil' is typically expressed with specific terms depending on the type and use. The most common general term is 燃料油 (nenryōyu), but in everyday contexts, people often refer to specific fuels like 灯油 (tōyu) for kerosene or 重油 (jūyu) for heavy oil.
Referring to fuel oil in a broad or technical sense, such as in industrial, shipping, or energy contexts.
The standard technical term for fuel oil, used in official and industrial contexts. It covers all types of liquid fuel used for combustion.
This ship uses heavy oil as fuel oil.
A slightly more abbreviated term for fuel oil, often used in shipping and logistics. It can also refer to bunker fuel.
Fuel oil prices are soaring.
Referring to the common household heating fuel, often used in portable heaters in Japan.
Kerosene, the most common type of fuel oil for home heating in Japan. Sold at gas stations and used in kerosene heaters (石油ストーブ).
It's cold, so I'm going to buy some kerosene.
The kerosene plastic tank is empty.
Referring to the thick, residual fuel oil used in large engines and boilers.
Heavy oil, used in ships, power plants, and large industrial boilers. It is a type of fuel oil, but more specific.
This factory uses heavy oil as fuel for its boilers.
Referring to the fuel used in diesel engines, often considered a type of fuel oil.
Diesel fuel, lighter than heavy oil. Used in trucks, buses, and some cars. In some contexts, it may be classified as a fuel oil.
I refueled the truck with diesel.
When speaking casually about fuel for heating or engines without specifying the type.
General word for 'fuel'. While not specifically 'fuel oil', it is often used in everyday conversation when the type of fuel is clear from context.
The heater ran out of fuel.
灯油 (kerosene) is for home heaters. 重油 (heavy oil) is for ships and factories. 軽油 (diesel) is for vehicles. If you just say 'fuel oil' in English, you need to choose the right one based on context.
オイル (oiru) usually means lubricating oil or cooking oil, not fuel oil. For fuel, use 燃料油 or the specific type.
The price of fuel oil has increased.
We need to order more fuel oil for the winter.