Inklingo

How to Say "petroleum" in Spanish

English → Spanish

petróleo

NounB2Technical
Use 'petróleo' when referring to crude oil as a raw substance, especially in discussions about its price, extraction, or as a commodity.

Examples

El precio del petróleo subió esta semana.

The price of oil went up this week.

aceite

ah-SAY-tehaˈsejte

NounA1General/Informal
While 'aceite' primarily means 'oil' for cooking or lubrication, it can sometimes be used informally for crude oil, though 'petróleo' is much more common for the raw substance.
A clear glass bottle filled with golden cooking oil, sitting next to a small ceramic bowl on a wooden counter.

Examples

Este tipo de aceite se usa para la industria.

This type of oil is used for industry.

Necesito un poco de aceite de oliva para la ensalada.

I need a little olive oil for the salad.

El coche necesita un cambio de aceite pronto.

The car needs an oil change soon.

Este aceite corporal huele a lavanda.

This body oil smells like lavender.

Always Masculine

Even though it ends in '-e', 'aceite' is always a masculine word, so you use 'el' or 'un' with it: 'el aceite'.

Uncountable Noun

'Aceite' is usually uncountable, like water or sugar. To measure it, you need a container: 'una botella de aceite' (a bottle of oil).

Using the wrong article

Mistake: “La aceite es saludable.”

Correction: El aceite es saludable. (Remember, 'aceite' is masculine: 'el'.)

petrolero

peh-tro-LEH-rope.tɾo.ˈle.ɾo

AdjectiveB1Formal
Use 'petrolero' as an adjective to describe things related to oil, such as crises, companies, or policies.
A large industrial oil derrick standing in a desert landscape.

Examples

La crisis petrolera afectó a todo el mundo.

The oil crisis affected everyone.

Viven cerca de un pozo petrolero.

They live near an oil well.

La empresa petrolera anunció nuevas inversiones.

The oil company announced new investments.

Matching the word it describes

Since this is an adjective, it must change to 'petrolera' if the thing it describes is a feminine ('girl') word, like 'industria' or 'empresa'.

Don't forget the 'a'

Mistake: “La compañía petrolero.”

Correction: La compañía petrolera.

Aceite vs. Petróleo

Learners often confuse 'aceite' and 'petróleo'. Remember that 'aceite' is primarily for cooking or lubricating oil, and while it can sometimes refer to crude oil, 'petróleo' is the standard and more precise term for the raw substance itself.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.