石油

• Pinyin: shí yóu
• Hanzi breakdown: 石 = pictograph of a rock or cliff face; 油 = 氵(water) + 由 (from), meaning oil — a liquid substance derived from nature

Meaning

Petroleum; oil. A naturally occurring liquid found underground, used as fuel and raw material for many products.

The standard Chinese word for crude oil and petroleum products. Common in discussions of energy, economics, international trade, and environmental issues. Distinct from cooking oil (食用油) and other oils (油). Common collocations: 石油价格 (oil prices), 石油公司 (oil company), 石油资源 (petroleum resources).

Examples

1. 石油是一种非常重要的自然资源。 Petroleum is a very important natural resource.
2. 石油价格的变化影响着全球经济。 Changes in oil prices affect the global economy.
3. 这个国家靠出口石油赚了很多钱。 This country has made a lot of money by exporting oil.

Usage Guide

Context: energy, economics, environment, industry

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 中东地区有丰富的石油资源。(The Middle East has abundant petroleum resources.)
• 石油价格最近涨了很多。(Oil prices have risen a lot recently.)

Don't Say

• 我用石油炒菜。(Don't use 石油 for cooking oil — that is 食用油 or just 油. 石油 is specifically petroleum/crude oil.)

Origin & History

石 means stone or rock; 油 means oil. Together: oil from rock — petroleum, which is extracted from rock formations underground.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal