Translation guide
The Japanese word for petroleum is 石油 (せきゆ). It is the standard term used in everyday conversation, news, and technical contexts. Related terms like 原油 (げんゆ) for crude oil and ガソリン for gasoline are also important.
The learner wants to refer to petroleum as a substance or resource in a general sense.
This is the standard, all-purpose word for petroleum. It covers the raw material and its refined products in a broad sense.
石油は限りある資源です。
Petroleum is a finite resource.
この地域では石油が採れます。
Petroleum is extracted in this region.
The learner wants to specifically refer to crude oil, the unrefined form of petroleum.
This means crude oil, the unprocessed liquid extracted from the ground. Use this when distinguishing from refined products.
原油価格が上昇している。
Crude oil prices are rising.
中東から原油を輸入している。
We import crude oil from the Middle East.
The learner wants to talk about petroleum as a fuel for vehicles, often meaning gasoline.
This is the common word for gasoline (petrol). Use this for car fuel. Note: 石油 can also be used in some contexts, but ガソリン is more specific.
ガソリンスタンドで給油した。
I refueled at a gas station.
ガソリン代が高くなった。
Gasoline prices have gone up.
A technical term for gasoline, used in official or industrial contexts. Rare in everyday speech.
The learner wants to refer to products derived from petroleum, such as plastics or chemicals.
This means petroleum products. It covers a wide range of items made from petroleum.
この工場では石油製品を製造している。
This factory manufactures petroleum products.
Specifically petrochemical products, like plastics, synthetic fibers, etc.
石油化学製品は日常生活に欠かせない。
Petrochemical products are indispensable in daily life.
石油 is the broad term for petroleum, including both crude oil and refined products. 原油 specifically means crude oil. ガソリン is gasoline. In everyday conversation, 石油 is often used when talking about the resource or heating oil, while ガソリン is used for car fuel.
While 石油 can technically encompass gasoline, saying 石油を入れる for 'put gas in the car' sounds unnatural. Use ガソリンを入れる instead.
ガソリンを満タンにしてください。
Fill it up with gas, please.
石油は主要なエネルギー源です。
Petroleum is a major energy source.
その国は原油を輸出している。
The country exports crude oil.
ガソリンを買わなければならない。
I need to buy gasoline.
The gasoline tax is levied on gasoline.