German word

Erdöl

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈeːɐ̯tˌøːl/

Meaning

  • neuter nounpetroleum

Example

Deutschland importiert das Erdöl aus dem Ausland.

Germany imports petroleum from abroad.

Illustration for Erdöl (petroleum)

More examples

Viele Länder reduzieren ihre Erdölabhängigkeit durch Investitionen in erneuerbare Energien.

Many countries are reducing their dependence on petroleum through investments in renewable energy.

Core concept

Black-brown liquid from underground that becomes fuels, plastics, and other industrial products after processing.

Common phrases

  • Erdölabhängigkeit

    petroleum dependence

  • Erdölindustrie

    petroleum industry

  • Erdölverbrauch

    petroleum consumption

Similar words

Rohöl: Unrefined black oil extracted from underground before processing.
Öl: A general term for liquid oil obtained from plants or minerals.
Benzin: Liquid fuel burned in passenger cars and similar vehicles.
Diesel: Liquid fuel used in trucks and some passenger cars.

Definition in German

Erdöl bezeichnet im Allgemeinen flüssige Kohlenwasserstoffe, die im Untergrund gebildet werden und als Ausgangsstoff für Benzin, Diesel und petrochemische Erzeugnisse dienen.

Word origin

The compound Erdöl combines Erde and Öl and developed as the German name for oil extracted from beneath the earth.

Usage tips

  • Erdöl names the raw resource, while Benzin and Diesel name specific refined fuels made from it.

Other meanings

  • crude oilnoun

Opposites

  • Erneuerbare Energierenewable energynoun

Related words

  • Erdölindustriepetroleum industrynoun
  • Erdölpreispetroleum pricenoun

Word lists with this word