Meaning
The kanji 油 (yū / abura) primarily means "oil," "fat," or "grease." This meaning covers a wide range of liquids, from everyday cooking oils to industrial petroleum.
油 is a semantic-phonetic compound, offering a clear glimpse into its origin. The left-hand radical, 氵 (sanzui), is the water radical, always signaling a connection to liquids. On the right, 由 (yū) acts as both a phonetic element (contributing its sound) and a semantic clue, meaning "reason," "cause," or "origin." Here, 由 suggests the "source" or "origin" of a liquid, highlighting oil as a natural, flowing substance. Historically, oil was extracted from natural sources, making this component especially fitting.
This visual combination perfectly encapsulates oil: a liquid substance derived from a specific source. This kanji has 8 strokes and is introduced in the 3rd grade of Japanese elementary school, underscoring its essential role in everyday Japanese vocabulary.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The primary On'yomi reading for 油 is ユ (yū). You'll typically find this reading in kanji compounds, especially those with a technical or formal nuance. This includes terms for industrial uses, specific types of oil, or actions involving oil. When paired with other kanji, ユ generally keeps its sound, which helps with predictability.
- 石油 (sekiyu) — petroleum, crude oil. This compound combines 石 (stone) with 油 (oil), literally "stone oil," referring to the fossil fuel.
- 給油 (kyūyu) — refueling, oil supply. This term is frequently heard at gas stations or when discussing vehicle maintenance.
- 油田 (yuden) — oil field. This refers to a geological formation containing reserves of petroleum.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The main Kun'yomi reading for 油 is あぶら (abura). This reading is used when the kanji appears alone or in compounds with other native Japanese words. It often refers to cooking oil, animal fat, or general greasy substances, making it more common in everyday contexts than its On'yomi counterparts.
- サラダ油 (sarada abura) — salad oil. A common household item for cooking.
- ごま油 (goma abura) — sesame oil. Known for its distinct flavor and use in Asian cuisine.
- 油絵 (abura-e) — oil painting. Refers to a painting created using oil paints.
Common Words & Compounds
Types of Oil & Fat
食用油 (shokuyō abura) — cooking oil
植物油 (shokubutsuyu) — vegetable oil
動物油 (dōbutsuyu) — animal fat
灯油 (tōyu) — kerosene
燃料油 (nenryōyu) — fuel oil
Oil-Related Actions & Places
製油 (seiyu) — oil refining
採油 (saiyu) — oil extraction
油圧 (yuatsu) — hydraulic pressure
油断 (yudan) — carelessness, negligence (lit. 'oil cutting off', implying a lapse in attention like letting an oil lamp run out)
Figurative & Other Uses
油っこい (aburakkoi) — greasy, oily (food)
油まみれ (aburamamire) — covered in oil, greasy
油を売る (abura o uru) — to loaf around, to waste time (lit. 'to sell oil', an old idiom referring to the leisurely pace of selling oil)
Example Sentences
この料理には新鮮なオリーブ油がよく合います。
Kono ryōri ni wa shinsen na orību abura ga yoku aimasu.
Fresh olive oil goes well with this dish.
車のエンジンに油を入れる必要があります。
Kuruma no enjin ni abura o ireru hitsuyō ga arimasu.
I need to put oil in the car's engine.
最近、食用油の値段が上がっています。
Saikin, shokuyō abura no nedan ga agatte imasu.
Recently, the price of cooking oil has gone up.
彼は給油所で車にガソリンを入れました。
Kare wa kyūyujo de kuruma ni gasorin o iremashita.
He put gasoline in his car at the gas station.
揚げる時は新しい油を使うのがベストです。
Ageru toki wa atarashii abura o tsukau no ga besuto desu.
It's best to use fresh oil when deep-frying.
中東には豊富な石油が埋蔵されています。
Chūtō ni wa hōfu na sekiyu ga maizō sarete imasu.
Abundant petroleum is buried in the Middle East.
炒め物にはごま油を少々たらすと、香りが良くなります。
Itamemono ni wa goma abura o shōshō tarasu to, kaori ga yoku narimasu.
Adding a little sesame oil to stir-fries makes them more fragrant.
食卓に油をこぼしてしまい、拭くのが大変でした。
Shokutaku ni abura o koboshite shimai, fuku no ga taihen deshita.
I spilled oil on the dining table, and it was tough to wipe.
Memory Tip
To remember 油, focus on its two parts. The left radical, 氵, is the "water" or "liquid" radical. This immediately tells you the kanji relates to a fluid substance.
The right component, 由, means "reason" or "origin." You can also visualize it as a "sprouting plant" or even a "container with a spout." Picture a liquid (氵) flowing from its source or origin (由) – much like oil extracted from a plant or gushing from a well. This visual connection makes it easy to remember that 油 represents "oil," a liquid originating from a specific source.
Alternatively, you could imagine 由 as a classic oil lamp. The oil inside is the "reason" the lamp burns, linking the component to the kanji's meaning.