Dictionary
English - Japanese
Oil
ɔɪl
Extremely common
900 - 1000
900 - 1000
The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000. This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000. This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
油 (あぶら), 石油 (せきゆ), オイル (おいる), 塗油 (とゆ)
Oil meanings in Japanese
油 (あぶら)
Example:
I need some oil to cook the vegetables.
野菜を炒めるために油が必要です。
He added oil to the frying pan.
彼はフライパンに油を加えました。
Usage: informalContext: Cooking and food preparation
Note: Used commonly in cooking. Refers to various types of cooking oils such as vegetable oil, olive oil, etc.
石油 (せきゆ)
Example:
The country relies heavily on oil imports.
その国は石油の輸入に大きく依存しています。
Oil prices have increased this year.
今年、石油の価格が上昇しました。
Usage: formalContext: Economics and energy industry
Note: Refers specifically to crude oil or petroleum. Often used in discussions about energy policies, economics, and environmental issues.
オイル (おいる)
Example:
I need to buy some car oil.
車のオイルを買う必要があります。
He applied oil to the hinges to make them quiet.
彼は蝶番にオイルを塗って静かにしました。
Usage: informalContext: Maintenance and automotive
Note: Loanword from English. Commonly used to refer to any type of oil, including engine oil, lubricants, etc.
塗油 (とゆ)
Example:
The artist used oil paint for her masterpiece.
そのアーティストは傑作のために油絵の具を使いました。
They prefer oil-based paints for their durability.
彼らは耐久性のために油性塗料を好みます。
Usage: formalContext: Art and painting
Note: Refers to oil-based paints or varnishes. Important in discussions about art techniques and materials.
Oil's synonyms
grease
Grease is a thick, oily substance used to lubricate moving parts.
Example: The mechanic applied grease to the gears to reduce friction.
Note: Grease is typically thicker and more viscous than oil.
lubricant
A lubricant is a substance that reduces friction between surfaces in contact.
Example: Before assembling the parts, they applied a lubricant to ensure smooth movement.
Note: Lubricant is a broader term that encompasses oils, greases, and other substances used for lubrication.
petroleum
Petroleum is a naturally occurring liquid fossil fuel found beneath the Earth's surface.
Example: Many countries rely on petroleum as a major source of energy.
Note: Petroleum specifically refers to a type of oil derived from underground deposits.
fat
Fat is a greasy substance derived from animal or plant sources.
Example: The chef used duck fat to sauté the vegetables for added flavor.
Note: Fat is primarily used in cooking and food preparation, while oil has a broader range of applications.
Oil expressions, common phrases
Oil the wheels
To facilitate or make something run smoothly by providing support or assistance.
Example: He helped oil the wheels by securing important partnerships for the project.
Note: The phrase uses 'oil' metaphorically to imply providing support rather than using actual oil.
Pour oil on troubled waters
To try to calm a difficult or tense situation by making peace or offering reconciliation.
Example: She tried to pour oil on troubled waters by offering a sincere apology.
Note: Here, 'oil' is used figuratively to signify calming or soothing a situation rather than using actual oil.
Oil the hinges
To lubricate or make something operate smoothly, typically referring to doors or other moving parts.
Example: He oiled the hinges of the door so that it wouldn't creak anymore.
Note: This phrase directly relates to applying oil to hinges for smooth operation.
Grease someone's palm
To bribe or give money to someone in a position of power to gain an advantage or favor.
Example: The corrupt official expected people to grease his palm in exchange for favors.
Note: In this idiom, 'grease' is used to imply bribing, not necessarily using actual grease or oil.
Oil and water
Describing two things or people that are incompatible or don't mix well together.
Example: They are like oil and water, always arguing and never able to get along.
Note: The phrase uses 'oil and water' metaphorically to signify two things that do not blend or harmonize.
Burning the midnight oil
Working late into the night; staying up late to work or study.
Example: She was burning the midnight oil to finish her thesis before the deadline.
Note: The phrase refers to working late hours, not actually burning oil.
Strike oil
To unexpectedly find or discover something valuable or profitable.
Example: After years of searching, the company finally struck oil in the new drilling site.
Note: In this idiom, 'strike oil' means discovering a valuable resource, not physically striking oil.
Smooth as oil
To describe something or someone as exceptionally smooth, graceful, or polished.
Example: Her performance on stage was as smooth as oil, capturing the audience's attention.
Note: The phrase uses 'oil' to convey smoothness and grace, not the actual substance itself.
Oil everyday (slang) expressions
Black gold
Black gold is a slang term for oil, emphasizing its value and importance, especially in relation to economics.
Example: The country's economy heavily relies on black gold exports.
Note: This term highlights the valuable and precious nature of oil, likening it to gold.
Texas tea
Texas tea is a playful slang term for oil, referring to the vast oil reserves found in Texas.
Example: In the early 1900s, many prospectors struck it rich by drilling for Texas tea.
Note: The term associates oil with the idea of a 'tea' or beverage that is highly sought after, like a valuable commodity.
Crude
Crude is a colloquial term for crude oil in its unrefined state, before processing.
Example: The company specializes in refining crude into usable products.
Note: The term is used informally to refer to unprocessed oil, contrasting with the refined products derived from it.
Black stuff
Black stuff is a casual term for oil, typically used in reference to its dark appearance.
Example: The machinery was coated in the black stuff after the oil spill.
Note: This slang term emphasizes the physical characteristics of oil, particularly its color and texture.
Liquid gold
Liquid gold is a slang term for oil, highlighting its preciousness and value when extracted and processed.
Example: The discovery of vast reserves turned the nation into a hub of liquid gold production.
Note: The term vividly describes oil as a valuable resource akin to gold, particularly in its liquid form.
Petrol
Petrol is a common term for gasoline used in British English, derived from petroleum.
Example: I need to fill up the car with petrol before we head out.
Note: In British English, 'petrol' is the standard term for the fuel used in cars, trucks, etc., synonymous with 'gasoline' in American English.
Dino juice
Dino juice is a humorous slang term for oil, drawing an amusing connection to the ancient origins of fossil fuels.
Example: The cars of the future may not run on dino juice anymore.
Note: The term playfully refers to oil as a 'juice' derived from dinosaurs, emphasizing its organic origin and fossil fuel nature.
Oil - Examples
The car needs an oil change.
The country's economy relies heavily on oil exports.
I prefer to paint with oil paints.
Oil grammar
Oil - Noun (Noun) / Noun, singular or mass (Noun, singular or mass)
Lemma: oil
Conjugations
Noun, plural (Noun, plural): oils
Noun, singular or mass (Noun, singular or mass): oil
Verb, past tense (Verb, past tense): oiled
Verb, gerund or present participle (Verb, gerund or present participle): oiling
Verb, 3rd person singular present (Verb, 3rd person singular present): oils
Verb, base form (Verb, base form): oil
Verb, non-3rd person singular present (Verb, non-3rd person singular present): oil
Syllables, Separation and Stress
oil Contains 1 syllables: oil
Phonetic transcription: ˈȯi(-ə)l
oil , ˈȯi( ə)l (The red syllable is stressed)
Oil - Importance and usage frequency
The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000.
oil: 900 - 1000 (Extremely common).
This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
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