How to say "grease" in Japanese

• 脂肪しぼうJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounThe general term for fat as a substance: body fat, dietary fat. Its 'grease' sense is fat in this material sense; for lubricating grease or greasy dirt it is not the word you want.
  脂肪しぼう分ぶんは減へらしたほうがいいですね。↗

  You had better cut out the fat.
• 脂あぶらJLPT N2approx.Common
  nounThis word covers animal fat, such as tallow and lard, and grease: the greasy residue left on hands or dishes. When 'grease' means greasy film or grime, this is the natural choice.
  肌はだが脂あぶらっぽいのです。↗

  I have greasy skin.
• オイルJLPT N2approx.Common
  nounThe word for oil and lubricants. It matches 'grease' when grease means a lubricant; it is not the word for greasy residue, animal fat, or fat in the body.

Use 脂 for greasy animal fat and greasy residue, 脂肪 for fat in the body and in food, and 「オイル」 for oil and lubricants, including grease in the lubricant sense.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 脂肪しぼうfat
• 脂あぶらfat
• グリースgrease
• 獣脂じゅうしgrease
• 油を引くあぶらをひくto oil (e.g. a frying pan)
• オイルoil