What it's NOT
petrol does NOT translate to petróleo.
To say "petróleo" in English, use crude oil.
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False cognate · False friend
petrol
Does NOT mean petróleo
It means gasoline
Written by Bryan López, English teacher · Updated
What it IS
petrol means gasoline.
Why it's confused
Spanish "petróleo" is the crude oil extracted from underground. English "petrol" (mainly British usage) is the refined fuel for vehicles. Crude oil in English is "crude oil" or "petroleum."
How it's pronounced
petrolPÉ-trol
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Examples of correct use
English
We need to stop for petrol.
Spanish
Tenemos que parar por gasolina.
English
Petrol prices went up.
Spanish
El precio de la gasolina subió.
A trick to remember it
Petrol = gasoline. Crude oil (Spanish "petróleo") = crude oil.
Mini quiz
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Frequently asked questions
What does "petrol" mean in English?
"Petrol" means "gasoline". It looks a lot like "petróleo", which is exactly why it gets confused, but they don't mean the same thing.
How do you say "petróleo" in English?
To say "petróleo" in English, use "crude oil". If you use "petrol" instead, you would actually be saying "gasoline".
Do "petrol" and "petróleo" mean the same thing?
Spanish "petróleo" is the crude oil extracted from underground. English "petrol" (mainly British usage) is the refined fuel for vehicles. Crude oil in English is "crude oil" or "petroleum."
Other confusing false friends
More confusing false friends
Library, embarrassed, actually... the full list of words that look the same but mean something different.
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