noun
oil
A1
Öl means 'oil', a neuter noun (das Öl) referring to cooking oil, mechanical oil or other liquids. Often used as a mass noun (no plural) but can pluralize to Öle for types. Declension: das Öl, des Öls; plural Öle. Regular declension with umlaut in plural form. Common in everyday and technical contexts.
Examples
Zum Braten verwende ich am liebsten Olivenöl.
For frying, I prefer to use olive oil.
Die Mechaniker fanden Öl unter dem Wagen, als sie die Bremsen prüften.
The mechanics found oil under the car when they checked the brakes.
Das Öl ist in der Küche.
The oil is in the kitchen.
Details
Mnemonics
Looks and sounds like English 'oil' — remember the meaning is the same.
das (neuter) — imagine a neutral bottle labeled 'DAS ÖL' to remember the neuter article.
Notes
Typically uncountable when referring to cooking oil; plural 'Öle' is used for different types of oil.