How to say "petrol" in Japanese

• ガソリンJLPT N4approx.Common
  nounThe word for the fuel sold for cars — 'gasoline' in American English, 'petrol' in British. Use it when talking about filling the tank, fuel prices and the like.
  ガソリンはリットル単位たんいで売うられる。↗

  Gasoline is sold by the liter.
• ベンジンCommon
  nounAlso glossed 'petrol', but in practice this word names benzine, a volatile solvent used for cleaning stains, so it is seldom the word you want for pump fuel; that is ガソリン.
• 揮発油きはつゆCommon
  nounLiterally 'volatile oil', this kanji word covers the widest range — petrol, petroleum and benzine — naming the volatile petroleum substance itself; it suits writing about the substance rather than refuelling a car.

For petrol as car fuel use 「ガソリン」; 「ベンジン」 really names benzine, a cleaning solvent, so it is seldom right for that sense; 揮発油 is the broader kanji name for the volatile petroleum substance itself, covering petroleum and benzine too.

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

• ガソリンgasoline
• ベンジンgasoline
• 揮発油きはつゆgasoline
• ガスgasoline