Inklingo

How to Say "filling station" in Spanish

English → Spanish

gasolinera

/gah-so-lee-neh-rah//ɡasoliˈneɾa/

nounA1General
This is the most common and widely understood term for a place where you buy fuel for vehicles, suitable for all general contexts.
A colorful fuel pump at a service station with a nozzle and a long hose.

Examples

Necesito ir a la gasolinera para llenar el tanque.

I need to go to the gas station to fill the tank.

Tengo que parar en la gasolinera para echar combustible.

I have to stop at the gas station to get some fuel.

¿Sabes si hay una gasolinera abierta por aquí?

Do you know if there's a gas station open around here?

La gasolinera está al lado del supermercado.

The gas station is next to the supermarket.

Always Feminine

This word is always feminine, so you must use 'la' or 'una' with it (la gasolinera).

The '-era' Ending

The ending '-era' is often used in Spanish to describe a place where a specific product is sold or kept.

Gasolina vs. Gasolinera

Mistake: “Using 'gasolina' to refer to the building.”

Correction: Use 'gasolina' for the liquid fuel and 'gasolinera' for the physical station where you buy it.

grifo

/GREE-fo//ˈɡɾifo/

nounB2Informal/Regional
While 'grifo' can mean 'tap' or 'faucet', in some regions it is also used colloquially to refer to a gas station, often in a more informal setting.
A colorful gas pump with a black hose and nozzle.

Examples

Vamos a parar en el grifo más cercano para tomar un café y recargar el depósito.

Let's stop at the nearest gas station to grab a coffee and refuel.

Tenemos que parar en el próximo grifo para cargar gasolina.

We have to stop at the next gas station to get gas.

Hay un grifo abierto las veinticuatro horas cerca de aquí.

There is a gas station open twenty-four hours near here.

El grifo estaba lleno de autos esta mañana.

The gas station was full of cars this morning.

Regional Meaning

In most Spanish-speaking countries, this word means faucet, but in Peru, it is the standard word for a gas station.

Confusing Faucets and Fuel

Mistake: “Looking for a 'gasolinera' in a small Peruvian town.”

Correction: While 'gasolinera' is understood, asking for a 'grifo' will sound much more natural in Peru.

Confusing 'gasolinera' with 'grifo'

The most common mistake is using 'grifo' outside of its specific regional or informal contexts. While 'grifo' can mean 'gas station', it primarily means 'tap' or 'faucet', so 'gasolinera' is always the safer and more universally understood choice.

Related Translations

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