Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| gasolina | /ɡasoˈlina/ | feminine |
| bencina | /benˈθina/ /benˈsina/ |
Chile, Peru, feminine |
| nafta | /ˈnafta/ | Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, feminine |
| esencia de petróleo | /esenθja de petɾoleo/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /esensja de petɾoleo/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
feminine, formal, rare |
The term gasolina is the standard term used across most Spanish-speaking regions. To refer to a gas station, use the word gasolinera.
Which one should you use?
While gasolina is the standard, other regional terms are used depending on the country. Bencina is used in Chile and Peru, and nafta is used in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. The phrase esencia de petróleo also refers to gasoline, though it is quite rare.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrase esencia de petróleo is a formal and rare way to express the concept of gasoline.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Bencina is the term used in Chile and Peru. In Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay, you will hear nafta.
How does it change in a sentence?
gasolina is a feminine noun. This means that any adjectives used to describe it must also use feminine endings, such as in the phrase la gasolina cara (expensive gasoline).
How do you pronounce it?
/ɡasoˈlina/
Did you know?
- While gasolina comes from English, the term bencina used in Chile and Peru was borrowed from the German word 'Benzin'.
Examples in context
- Nos quedamos sin gasolina.We've run out of gasoline.This sentence is useful for expressing that you have run out of gasolina.Tatoeba #1712157 by teskmon, translation #4397499 by CK
- La gasolina escasea por aquí.Gasoline is scarce around here.This sentence is useful for stating that gasolina is scarce in a specific area.Tatoeba #2265974 by cueyayotl, translation #2265973 by _undertoad
- La gasolina se vende por litros.Gasoline is sold by the liter.This sentence is useful for explaining that gasolina is sold by the liter.Tatoeba #9685180 by stormy_clau, translation #63715 by CK
- ¿Sabes dónde puedo conseguir nafta por aquí?Do you know where I can get gasoline around here?
- 15 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and Lucía are in a car on a road trip.
- AlejandroLucía, ¿cuánta gasolina nos queda?Lucía, how much gasoline do we have left?
- LucíaPoca, tenemos que buscar una gasolinera pronto.Not much, we have to find a gas station soon.
- AlejandroVale, yo buscaré una en el mapa.Okay, I will look for one on the map.
- LucíaPerfecto, yo conduzco mientras tanto.Perfect, I will drive in the meantime.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “gasoline” translations and entries gasolina, bencina, nafta, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bencina, de, esencia, gasolina, nafta, petróleo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
