1.
lubricant; lubricating oil
Oil used to reduce friction between moving parts in machinery and equipment.
機械に潤滑油を差す。
Apply lubricating oil to the machine.
潤滑油が切れると故障の原因になる。
Running out of lubricant can cause breakdowns.
自転車のチェーンに潤滑油を塗った。
I applied lubricant to the bicycle chain.
2.
something that smooths relations; social lubricant
Figuratively, something that helps relationships or interactions proceed smoothly.
酒はコミュニケーションの潤滑油だ。
Alcohol is a social lubricant.
ユーモアは人間関係の潤滑油になる。
Humor serves as a social lubricant in relationships.
雑談は職場の潤滑油の役割を果たしている。
Small talk serves as a lubricant in the workplace.
WORD STRUCTURE:
潤滑 (lubrication, smooth) + 油 (oil)
LITERAL USAGE (Sense 1):
Used for machinery maintenance including:
- 自動車 - automobiles (engine oil)
- 工場機械 - factory machinery
- 自転車 - bicycles
FIGURATIVE USAGE (Sense 2):
Commonly used metaphorically to describe things that facilitate smooth interactions:
- お酒 - alcohol
- ユーモア - humor
- 雑談 - small talk
RELATED TERMS:
- 潤滑 - lubrication
- 潤滑剤 - lubricant (includes non-oil lubricants)
- グリス - grease
- オイル - oil
- 油を差す - to oil, to lubricate
COLLOCATIONS:
- 潤滑油を差す/塗る - to apply lubricant
- 潤滑油が切れる - to run out of lubricant
- 潤滑油の役割を果たす - to serve as a lubricant (figurative)