तैल
taila/tɑːi̯.lɐ́/neuter
The Sanskrit word for oil is तैल, also known as taila.
The term refers to liquid fat.
Meaning: liquid fat (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables and is pronounced /tɑːi̯.lɐ́/. The romanization is taila.
Did you know?
- The word तैल is actually a derivative of the word for 'sesame', which is तिल.
- In traditional Ayurvedic medicine, तैल is not just a cooking ingredient but a primary medium for medicinal massage and healing treatments.
- Sanskrit uses तैल to describe various lubricants, but ancient texts often distinguished between vegetable oils and 'ghṛta', which specifically refers to clarified butter.
Examples in context
- तैलम् उत्तमं अस्ति।tailam uttamaṃ asti.The oil is good.
- यन्त्रस्य कृते तैलम् आवश्यकम्।yantrasya kṛte tailam āvaśyakam.Oil is necessary for the machine.
- माता तैलम् विक्रेतुं इच्छति।mātā tailam vikretuṃ icchati.The mother wants to sell oil.
Example conversation
A shop where Ishan is buying supplies.
- काव्या Kavyaभोः इशान, किं तव समीपे तैलम् अस्ति?bhoḥ īśāna, kiṃ tava samīpe tailam asti?Excuse me Ishan, do you have oil near you?
- इशान Ishanआम्, काव्या, मम समीपे तैलम् अस्ति।ām, kāvyā, mama samīpe tailam asti.Yes, Kavya, I have oil with me.
- काव्या Kavyaकिं तैलम् अल्पमूल्यम् अस्ति?kiṃ tailam alpamūlyam asti?Is the oil cheap?
- इशान Ishanआम्, एतत् तैलम् अल्पमूल्यं वर्तते।ām, etat tailam alpamūlyaṃ vartate.Yes, this oil is cheap.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “oil” translations and entries तैल, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries तैल, CC BY-SA 4.0.
