The map above shows what gasoline or petrol is called in each country around the world.
In the English speaking world there’s a pretty even split with the US and Canada calling it gasoline and the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and South Africa calling it petrol.
Former British colonies including most notably India and Pakistan also use the term petrol.
In the Spanish/Portuguese there’s less of a split with most countries using the term gasoline with the exception of Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay which use the term Naphtha.
Other common names include:
- Benzene: Used throughout Europe, Russia, Asia and the Middle East.
- Essence: Used in France and many former French colonies.
Other unique names include.
- China – Qiyou
- Vietnam – Xang Dau
- Laos – Namman
- Cambodia – Sang
- Myanmar – Dharatse
- Thailand – Namanbensin
Also some corrections were noted by the map creator including:
- Nigeria – Gas or Petrol (But some retailers use the term Premium Motor Spirit)
- Madagascar – Lasantsy (from L’Essence)
- Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria – Essence
- Chile – Benzene (Bencina)
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Dos says
Thailand also calls it Benzene ( we pronounce it Bensin.)
Dos says
Thailand also calls it Benzene ( we pronounce it Bensin.)
The word Namman is a general word for oil.
We used to call diesel Sola (Namman Sola) but it’s less common now and younger generations call it diesel (Namman Diesel.)