Korean Dictionary
How to say "Fuel" in Korean
“Fuel” in Korean is 연료 (pronounced "yeollyo").
연료
yeollyo
Usage & Context
연료 refers to the fuel used to power vehicles in Korea including gasoline, diesel, LPG, and electricity. Korean fuel prices are relatively high due to taxes and fluctuate with global oil markets. LPG 연료 is popular for Korean taxis as it is cheaper than gasoline and produces fewer emissions.
Example Sentence
연료가 거의 다 떨어졌어요.
The fuel is almost gone.
How to use 연료 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Fuel” is 연료, romanized as yeollyo.
Usage tip
Learn this word together with a complete Korean sentence. Meaning often depends on particles, politeness level, and word order.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 연료.
Pronunciation Guide
연 (yeon) sounds like 'yun' in 'young' but with a softer 'y' and the 'eo' like 'o' in 'son'. 료 (llyo) sounds like 'ryo' in 'ryo-ga' or 'yo' with a slight 'l' sound before it, almost like 'lyo'. The 'll' indicates a tense 'l' sound. Combine: 'yun-llyo'. The 'll' sound is important here.
More Example Sentences
Comparing car types based on running costs.
전기차는 연료비가 적게 들어요.
Electric cars cost less in fuel.
Realizing the need to refuel.
연료가 부족해서 주유소에 들러야 해요.
I'm low on fuel, so I need to stop at a gas station.
Asking about a car's fuel type.
이 차는 어떤 연료를 사용하나요?
What kind of fuel does this car use?
Cultural Context
Korea has a diverse range of vehicle fuels: gasoline (휘발유), diesel (경유), LPG (액화석유가스), and increasingly electricity (전기). LPG vehicles were historically restricted but regulations have eased, making them more common. Fuel prices are a frequent topic of discussion, with many apps and websites dedicated to finding the cheapest gas stations (주유소). The term '연료비' (fuel cost) is a significant factor for car owners.
Editorial note
We review entries like 연료 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
연료를 채우다
to fill up with fuel
연료가 떨어지다
to run out of fuel
연료 탱크
fuel tank
Related Expressions
휘발유
hwibalyu
gasoline
경유
gyeongyu
diesel
주유소
juyuso
gas station
연료 효율
yeollyo hyoyul
fuel efficiency
More Transportation Words
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