तेल
tel/t̪el/
The English word 'oil' is translated into Marathi as तेल (tel).
तेल refers to liquid fat.
Meaning: liquid fat (noun)
Which one should you use?
While तेल लावणे is a general term for applying or rubbing oil onto something, तेल घालणे is used specifically in the context of adding oil to food or during cooking.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To indicate possession, such as 'of oil', use the form तेलाचा. To express the instrumental case, meaning 'with oil' or 'by means of oil', use the form तेलाने.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced as tel. The /t̪/ sound is like the 't' in bi[t] (dental), the /e/ sound is like the vowel in Scottish m[ay] and the /l/ sound is like the [l] in [l]ot.
Did you know?
- The word तेल is used in the phrase तेल लावणे, which can sometimes be used metaphorically to describe someone being overly smooth or sycophantic.
- In many Marathi households, applying तेल to the hair is not just a grooming habit but a common way to signify care and affection from elders to children.
- The word तेल is used in the compound term तेलाची टाकी to refer to a fuel tank, extending the meaning of cooking oil to petroleum.
Examples in context
- या सायकलीला तेल लाव.Oil this bicycle.This sentence shows how to use तेल when giving an instruction to lubricate a bicycle.Tatoeba #5634544 by sabretou, translation #58884 by shekitten
- तेलाचा भाव कमी झाला.The price of oil went down.This sentence uses तेल to discuss the price of oil.Tatoeba #5634575 by sabretou, translation #5346496 by Hybrid
- टॉमने आगीवर तेल ओतलं.Tom poured oil on the fire.This sentence demonstrates the use of तेल when pouring the substance onto a fire.Tatoeba #13699767 by sabretou, translation #9414762 by CK
- मी येथे तेल खरेदी करू इच्छितो.I would like to buy oil here.
- 53 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
In the kitchen, Saiili and Rahul are preparing for a meal.
- सायली Sayaliराहुल, स्वयंपाक करायला तेल कुठे आहे?rāhul, svayampāk karālyā tel kuthe āhe?Rahul, where is the oil for cooking?
- राहुल Rahulते कपाटात आहे, सायली.te kapāṭāt āhe, sāyli.It is in the cupboard, Saiili.
- सायली Sayaliठीक आहे, मला ते काढून दे.ṭhīk āhe, malā te kāḍhūn de.Okay, please get it for me.
- राहुल Rahulहो, मी आता आणतो.ho, mī ātā āṇato.Yes, I will bring it now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “oil” translations and entries तेल, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
