Spanish word

petróleo

Pronunciation

IPA/peˈtɾoleo/

Meaning

  • masculine nounoil

Example

Necesitamos petróleo para generar energía.

We need oil to generate energy.

Illustration for petróleo (oil)

More examples

La industria del petróleo emplea a muchas personas.

The petroleum industry employs many people.

Core concept

Unrefined dark liquid that yields gasoline and diesel when refined.

Common phrases

  • precio del petróleo

    oil price

  • industria del petróleo

    petroleum industry

  • consumo de petróleo

    consumption of oil

Similar words

gasolina: Refined liquid fuel burned in spark-ignition car engines.
diésel: Refined liquid fuel formulated for diesel (compression-ignition) engines.
combustible: Substance burned to produce heat or mechanical power.
aceite: Oily liquid used for cooking, dressing food, or lubricating machines.

Definition in Spanish

Mezcla natural de compuestos orgánicos, extraída en forma de crudo y sometida a refino para obtener gasolina, diésel y otros derivados.

Word origin

The word derives from medieval Latin petroleum, originally built from Greek petra 'rock' plus Latin oleum 'oil', reflecting oil found in rock layers.

Usage tips

  • Petróleo is normally an uncountable mass noun for the raw material rather than a specific fuel, so use gasolina or diésel when referring to vehicle fuel.

Other meanings

  • crude oilnoun

Opposites

  • energía solarsolar powernoun

Related words

  • petrolerooiladjective
  • petrolerapetroleum companynoun

Word lists with this word