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How to Say "gas" in Spanish

English → Spanish

gas

gasɡas

nounA1general
Use 'gas' when referring to the state of matter, like air or other gaseous substances.
A transparent glass beaker with light, wispy, blue-tinted vapor rising out of it, symbolizing the gaseous state of matter.

Examples

El aire que respiramos es una mezcla de gases.

The air we breathe is a mixture of gases.

El gas helio hace que los globos floten.

Helium gas makes balloons float.

El bebé llora porque tiene muchos gases.

The baby is crying because he has a lot of gas (wind).

Necesito un medicamento para aliviar los gases.

I need medicine to relieve the gas.

Masculine Noun Rule

Even though 'gas' ends in 's', it is a masculine noun. Always use 'el' or 'un' with it: 'el gas'.

Plural for Body Gas

When talking about digestive discomfort, 'gas' is often used in the plural: 'los gases'.

gasolina

gah-so-LEE-nahɡasoliˈna

nounA1informal
Use 'gasolina' for the fuel you put in a car, often used as a shorter, informal term for 'gasoline'.
A close-up of a bright red gas pump nozzle filling a vehicle's fuel tank opening with yellow liquid fuel.

Examples

Tenemos que parar en la gasolinera para poner gasolina.

We have to stop at the gas station to put gas in.

El coche consume mucha gasolina, es poco eficiente.

The car consumes a lot of gas; it's not very efficient.

¿Cuánta gasolina queda en el tanque?

How much gas is left in the tank?

Gender Reminder

Remember, 'gasolina' is always a feminine noun, so you must use 'la' before it, and any describing words must end in '-a' (e.g., 'la gasolina cara').

Confusing 'Gas' and 'Gasolina'

Mistake: “Using 'el gas' when you mean car fuel.”

Correction: Use 'la gasolina' for car fuel. 'El gas' usually refers to natural gas, cooking gas, or a general gaseous substance.

gases

GAH-sehsˈɡases

nounB1general
Use 'gases' (plural) when referring to intestinal gas or flatulence, a common bodily function.
A small green dinosaur looking surprised with a tiny green puff of air behind it.

Examples

Me duele el estómago porque tengo muchos gases.

My stomach hurts because I have a lot of gas.

Hay comidas que producen muchos gases.

There are foods that produce a lot of gas.

Singular vs. Plural

While English speakers often say 'I have gas' (singular), Spanish speakers almost always use the plural 'tengo gases'.

gas

gasɡas

nounB2general
Use 'gas' for stomach or intestinal gas, especially in a medical or descriptive context.
A transparent glass beaker with light, wispy, blue-tinted vapor rising out of it, symbolizing the gaseous state of matter.

Examples

El bebé llora porque tiene muchos gases.

The baby is crying because he has a lot of gas (wind).

El aire que respiramos es una mezcla de gases.

The air we breathe is a mixture of gases.

El gas helio hace que los globos floten.

Helium gas makes balloons float.

Necesito un medicamento para aliviar los gases.

I need medicine to relieve the gas.

Masculine Noun Rule

Even though 'gas' ends in 's', it is a masculine noun. Always use 'el' or 'un' with it: 'el gas'.

Plural for Body Gas

When talking about digestive discomfort, 'gas' is often used in the plural: 'los gases'.

petróleo

nounB2general
Use 'petróleo' when referring to crude oil as a fuel source, especially in economic or geopolitical contexts.

Examples

El precio del petróleo subió esta semana.

The price of oil went up this week.

Gasoline vs. Gas (Fuel)

Learners often use 'gas' when they mean the fuel for a car. In Spanish, 'gasolina' is the standard term for car fuel. While 'gas' can sometimes refer to fuel in other contexts, 'gasolina' is always safe for vehicles.

Related Translations

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