nafta

diesel fuel

noun NAHF-tah Rare

Origin: Via Italian/French from Arabic naft (petroleum seep)

Also means

naphtha

Usage Note

Nafta in everyday Italian most often means diesel fuel for heating or vehicles (nafta da riscaldamento). It is a partial false friend: in English 'naphtha' is a lighter petroleum fraction, while Italian nafta typically refers to heavier fuel oil or diesel. The plural nafte is rare.

Examples

"Il motore funziona a nafta."

Natural Translation

The engine runs on diesel.

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