olio
/ˈɔ.ljo/masculine
The English word "oil" is translated into Italian as olio.
olio refers to liquid fat. When you need to specify the type of oil, such as olive oil, you should use the construction olio di [source], such as olio di oliva.
Meaning: liquid fat (noun)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of olio is oli. The word is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ˈɔ.ljo/. It has two syllables, and the stress is on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- While olio is the standard term for cooking or motor oil, the word olio is also used in the expression olio di gomito, which literally means 'elbow oil'.
- In an Italian kitchen, if you ask for olio without specifying a type, most people will instinctively assume you mean olio di oliva.
- The Italian word olio shares its DNA with the English word 'oleaginous', which describes something oily or fatty.
Examples in context
- Questo è olio motore.This is engine oil.This sentence shows how to identify engine oil using olio.Tatoeba #13474755 by Guybrush88, translation #9190789 by CK
- Questo è olio d'oliva.This is olive oil.This sentence shows how to identify olive oil using olio.Tatoeba #13284328 by Guybrush88, translation #8962729 by CK
- Ha dell'olio di oliva?Do you have any olive oil?This sentence is a way to ask if someone has olive oil using olio.Tatoeba #13284352 by Guybrush88, translation #12210588 by CK
- Questo olio extravergine di oliva è eccezionale!This extra virgin olive oil is exceptional!
- 184 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Martina and Matteo are preparing dinner in the kitchen.
- MartinaMatteo, dove hai messo l'olio?Matteo, where did you put the oil?
- MatteoÈ sul tavolo, accanto al sale.It is on the table, next to the salt.
- MartinaGrazie, ora posso cuocere le verdure.Thanks, now I can cook the vegetables.
- MatteoDi nulla, serve altro olio?You're welcome, do you need more oil?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “oil” translations and entries olio, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries olio, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
