بنزين
The English phrase petrol is بنزين in Arabic.
The word بنزين is used specifically to refer to petrol or gasoline.
What does it mean word for word?
The word بنزين is a loanword derived from 'benzine' or 'benzene'.
Which one should you use?
While بنزين specifically refers to petrol, the word وقود is the broader term for any type of fuel.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The term بنزين is the standard way to refer to petrol/gasoline in most Arabic dialects, including Levantine, Egyptian and Gulf Arabic.
Did you know?
- The word بنزين is a direct loanword from the German 'Benzin' rather than from English or French.
- While بنزين is the standard word for petrol, the broader word for fuel وقود is used in the Quran to describe the fuel of a hellfire.
- If you are looking for diesel, do not use بنزين, as you must use the word ديزل or سولار to avoid the attendant giving you the wrong fuel.
Examples in context
- نحن بحاجة إلى بنزين الآن.nahnu bi-haja ila benzin al-an.We need petrol now.
Example conversation
Layla and Omar are in a car and notice the fuel is low.
- ليلى Laylaيا عمر، السيارة تحتاج بنزين.ya Omar, al-sayyara tahtaj benzin.Omar, the car needs petrol.
- عمر Omarأنا أعرف، سأبحث عن محطة.ana a'rif, sa-ab-hath 'an mahatta.I know, I will look for a station.
- ليلى Laylaهل يوجد بنزين رخيص قريب؟hal yujad benzin rakhis qarib?Is there cheap petrol nearby?
- عمر Omarلا أعرف، سأبحث في الخريطة.la a'rif, sa-ab-hath fi al-kharita.I don't know, I will look on the map.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries بنزين, CC BY-SA 4.0.
