Translation guide
In Japanese, the general term for cooking oil is 食用油 (しょくようあぶら), but in everyday conversation, people usually refer to specific types like サラダ油 (salad oil) or ごま油 (sesame oil). The word 油 (あぶら) alone can mean oil in general, including non-edible oils, so context is important.
The broad category of oil used for cooking, such as vegetable oil, canola oil, etc.
Formal or written term for edible/cooking oil. Used on labels and in recipes.
この食用油は揚げ物に適しています。
This cooking oil is suitable for deep-frying.
General word for oil/fat. In cooking contexts, it's understood as cooking oil, but can be ambiguous.
Can also mean petroleum or non-edible oils. Use context to clarify.
フライパンに油をひいてください。
Please put some oil in the frying pan.
The standard light-colored vegetable oil used for everyday cooking, frying, and dressings.
Literally 'salad oil'. The most common all-purpose cooking oil in Japanese households, typically a blend of canola, soybean, etc.
サラダ油で野菜を炒めます。
I stir-fry vegetables with salad oil.
Oil extracted from sesame seeds, used for flavoring Asian dishes.
Sesame oil. A staple in Japanese and other Asian cuisines. Often used as a finishing oil or for stir-frying.
ほうれん草のおひたしにごま油を少々たらします。
I add a few drops of sesame oil to the spinach ohitashi.
Oil pressed from olives, used in Western and fusion cooking.
Olive oil. Commonly used in Italian and Mediterranean dishes, and increasingly in Japanese fusion cuisine.
パスタにはエクストラバージンオリーブオイルを使います。
I use extra virgin olive oil for pasta.
Less common but still encountered oils like canola, rapeseed, coconut, etc.
Rapeseed/canola oil. Sometimes used in traditional cooking or as a healthier alternative.
菜種油は天ぷらに向いています。
Rapeseed oil is good for tempura.
油 (あぶら) alone can mean any kind of oil, including petroleum or motor oil. In a kitchen context, it's usually clear, but if you need to be specific, use 食用油 or the specific oil name.
If you want to ask for oil (e.g., olive oil for bread), you can say 「オリーブオイルをください」. For generic cooking oil, it's better to ask for the specific type.
Coconut oil. Used in some health-conscious or tropical recipes.
ココナッツオイルでパンケーキを焼きました。
I made pancakes with coconut oil.