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How to Say "gas" in Spanish

English → Spanish

gasolina

/gah-so-LEE-nah//ɡasoliˈna/

NounA1Informal
Use this informal, common word when referring to fuel for vehicles, like at a gas station.
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-sehs//ˈɡases/

NounB1General
Use this plural noun to refer specifically to intestinal gas or flatulence.
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'.

petróleo

NounB2General
Use this word when discussing oil as a natural resource and a global fuel commodity, not for car fuel.

Examples

El precio del petróleo subió esta semana.

The price of oil went up this week.

Confusing Fuel Words

The most common mistake is using 'petróleo' when you mean fuel for your car. Remember, 'gasolina' is the everyday word for vehicle fuel, while 'petróleo' refers to crude oil as a commodity.

Related Translations

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