灯油

What it means

灯油 means lamp oil, the refined kerosene used to fuel lamps and heaters in Japanese households. It designates a household fuel sold in cans and intended for lighting and small-scale heating, distinct from automotive fuels or cooking oils.

Main meanings

• lamp fuel for lighting and heating, commonly sold as kerosene for home use — touyu
• not a general petroleum product; used specifically for household appliances and lanterns
• in everyday talk, 灯油 refers to the kerosene available at hardware stores or gas stations

How to use it

灯油 is used specifically to refer to kerosene intended for domestic lighting and heating. In casual conversation it is common when discussing purchases or storage; in formal writing it denotes a fuel category and its regulatory or technical aspects; avoid using it for cooking or vehicle fuels.