石油
Meanings
1
General term for crude oil and petroleum products. Used in technical, economic, and everyday contexts.
The Middle East produces a lot of oil.
Fluctuations in oil prices affect the economy.
2
Colloquial use for kerosene (lamp oil/heating oil), especially in older or rural contexts. Modern standard term is 灯油.
See also: 灯油
My grandmother calls it a 'kerosene heater' using 石油, but nowadays it's more often called a 灯油 heater.
Usage patterns
- 石油を掘るto drill for oil
Oil drilling operations are continuing in this region.
- 石油を入れるto fill (a stove/lamp) with kerosene
I filled the heater with kerosene beforehand.
- 石油に依存するto depend on oil
Many countries still depend heavily on oil.
- 石油が枯渇するfor oil (reserves) to run dry
It is said that oil reserves will eventually run dry.
- 石油を輸入するto import oil
Japan imports a large amount of oil.