The Meaning of touyu [灯油] In Japanese

灯油
とうゆ
Romaji: touyu N5

What does 灯油 mean?

Translation and Meaning

lamp oil, kerosene

Definition

灯油 means lamp oil, the refined kerosene used to fuel lamps and heaters in Japanese households. It designates a household fuel sold in cans and intended for lighting and small-scale heating, distinct from automotive fuels or cooking oils.

Type

noun (名詞)

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • lamp fuel for lighting and heating, commonly sold as kerosene for home use — touyu
  • not a general petroleum product; used specifically for household appliances and lanterns
  • in everyday talk, 灯油 refers to the kerosene available at hardware stores or gas stations

Composition

  • 灯 = lamp, light
  • 油 = oil, fat
  • combined meaning: oil for lamps, i.e., lamp oil or kerosene used for home lighting and heating

Usage

灯油 is used specifically to refer to kerosene intended for domestic lighting and heating. In casual conversation it is common when discussing purchases or storage; in formal writing it denotes a fuel category and its regulatory or technical aspects; avoid using it for cooking or vehicle fuels.
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: imagine a bright lamp that glows only when you pour 油 (oil) into it; the sound touyu echoes the idea of lamp oil powering light.

Variations

  • kerosene for lamps and heaters — touyu
  • 灯油用燃料 (heater-specific kerosene) — touyu

Words with the same Kanji

Example Phrases

  • 灯油がなくなったので、給油所へ行く。
    Tōyu ga nakunatta node, kyūyusho e iku.
    I’m going to the gas station because we’re out of kerosene.
    Lista:
    • 灯油 (tōyu) – kerosene
    • が (ga) – subject marker
    • なくなった (nakunatta) – ran out
    • ので (node) – because
    • 給油所 (kyūyusho) – gas station
    • へ (e) – to
    • 行く (iku) – go
    Core point: 「灯油」 means kerosene; 灯油がなくなったので expresses cause (‘because we ran out’).
灯油