At the A1 level, you don't need to use the word 'isolere' often, but you might hear it if you are looking for an apartment. It basically means 'to keep the warm air in and the cold air out' or 'to be alone'. Think of it as 'making a wall' around something. If you are cold in your house, maybe you need to 'isolere' the windows. It is a big word, but it helps you understand how Norwegians stay warm in the winter. You can think of it like 'separating' things. For example, if you have a sick cat, you might 'isolere' it in one room so the other cats don't get sick. It is a practical word for everyday problems like cold houses or staying away from a cold (the virus). Just remember: 'isolere' = separate or keep warm.
At the A2 level, you can start using 'isolere' in simple sentences about your home or your health. You should know that 'isolere' is a verb that describes an action. For example, 'Jeg må isolere huset' (I must insulate the house). You might also hear it in the news about people who have to stay home because they are sick. A key phrase at this level is 'å isolere seg', which means to stay by yourself. If you are very busy and don't see your friends, you might say 'Jeg isolerer meg denne uken' (I am isolating myself this week). It is a useful word for explaining why you are staying away from others or why your electricity bill is high (maybe the house is not well-insulated).
At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'isolere' in both its physical and social meanings. You should understand the difference between 'å isolere' (to isolate something else) and 'å isolere seg' (to isolate oneself). At this level, you can use the word to discuss social issues, like how elderly people might 'isolere seg' if they don't have family nearby. You can also use it in technical contexts, like talking about 'lydisolering' (soundproofing) in a new apartment. You should also start noticing the noun form 'isolasjon'. For example, 'Isolasjonen i dette bygget er dårlig' (The insulation in this building is bad). You are moving beyond just 'staying warm' to understanding 'isolere' as a concept of separation in many different areas of life.
At the B2 level, 'isolere' is a word you should use with precision. You understand that it can mean 'to insulate' against heat, cold, or sound, and 'to isolate' in a medical, social, or scientific sense. You should be able to use it in academic or professional discussions, such as 'å isolere variabler' (to isolate variables) in a study. You also recognize the nuances of the word in a legal or political context, such as 'isolasjon' in prisons. Your vocabulary should include compound words like 'etterisolere' (to add more insulation later). You can discuss the psychological effects of 'å være isolert' (being isolated) and use the word fluently in debates about urban planning, health, or social welfare. You understand that the context tells you whether it's about building materials or human behavior.
At the C1 level, you use 'isolere' with a high degree of nuance and stylistic awareness. You can use it metaphorically to describe political situations, such as 'å isolere et land diplomatisk' (to isolate a country diplomatically). You are aware of more formal synonyms like 'avsondre' and can choose between them based on the desired tone. You understand the technicalities of 'isolering' in complex engineering or chemical processes. You can write sophisticated essays discussing how modern technology might 'isolere oss fra hverandre' (isolate us from each other) despite increased connectivity. Your use of prepositions with the verb (isolere mot vs. isolere fra) is flawless, and you can handle the passive and reflexive forms in complex sentence structures without hesitation.
At the C2 level, 'isolere' is a tool you use with total mastery. You can engage in deep philosophical discussions about the nature of isolation in literature or sociology. You understand the subtle differences in connotation when 'isolere' is used in different professional registers—from the highly technical language of a physicist isolating subatomic particles to the clinical language of a psychiatrist discussing social withdrawal. You can use the word to construct complex arguments about architectural history, specifically how the development of new 'isoleringsteknikker' (insulation techniques) changed Norwegian housing. Your command of the word and its family (isolasjonisme, isolator, isolat) is complete, allowing you to use it precisely in any given rhetorical context, whether it be creative, academic, or professional.

isolere in 30 Sekunden

  • Used for both 'isolate' (people/things) and 'insulate' (heat/sound).
  • Essential for discussing home improvement and energy saving in Norway.
  • Commonly used reflexively ('isolere seg') to mean social withdrawal.
  • A regular weak verb following the standard -ere conjugation pattern.

The Norwegian verb isolere is a versatile and essential term that bridges the gap between physical construction, social dynamics, and scientific methodology. At its core, it means to separate something from its surroundings to prevent the transfer of energy, influence, or physical contact. In the Norwegian language, this word is used with high frequency in both domestic contexts—such as when a homeowner discusses home improvement—and in more abstract or clinical settings, such as during a medical discussion or a psychological analysis of social behavior.

Physical Insulation
In a Norwegian climate, 'isolere' is most commonly heard in the context of building and construction. It refers to the act of adding materials to walls, floors, or ceilings to keep heat in and cold out. Because of Norway's harsh winters, the concept of 'godt isolert' (well-insulated) is a major selling point in the real estate market.

Vi må isolere loftet før vinteren setter inn for alvor.

Social and Medical Isolation
The word also describes the act of separating a person or group from others. This can be voluntary, such as 'å isolere seg' (to isolate oneself) due to stress or depression, or involuntary, such as in a hospital setting where a patient with a contagious disease is placed in 'isolasjon'. During the global pandemic, this term became a household word in Norway, appearing daily in news broadcasts regarding quarantine measures.

Legene valgte å isolere pasienten for å hindre smittespredning til andre avdelinger.

Technical and Scientific Usage
In scientific research, 'isolere' is used when a researcher identifies and separates a specific variable or substance from a complex mixture. For example, a chemist might isolate a compound, or a sociologist might isolate a specific demographic factor to study its effects independently of other influences.

Forskerne klarte endelig å isolere genet som er ansvarlig for fargesynet.

Understanding the context is key to translating 'isolere' correctly back into English. If the topic is 'strøm' (electricity) or 'varme' (heat), think 'insulate'. If the topic is 'mennesker' (people) or 'kjemikalier' (chemicals), think 'isolate'. This dual functionality is a prime example of how Norwegian vocabulary can be more streamlined than English, requiring the speaker to rely on the surrounding sentence to convey the specific nuance intended.

Using isolere correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical patterns. It is a transitive verb, meaning it usually takes a direct object. However, it is also frequently used in its reflexive form, isolere seg, which is crucial for describing social behavior or psychological states.

Reflexive Use: Isolere seg
When a person chooses to stay away from others, we use the reflexive pronoun (meg, deg, seg, oss, dere, seg). For example: 'Han isolerer seg på rommet sitt' (He is isolating himself in his room). This implies a voluntary or psychological withdrawal from society.

Etter det vanskelige bruddet begynte hun å isolere seg fra vennene sine.

Passive Voice: Isoleres
In formal reports, news, or technical manuals, the passive form 'isoleres' is common. 'Huset må isoleres' (The house must be insulated). Here, the focus is on the action being performed on the object rather than who is doing it.

Alle elektriske ledninger må isoleres forsvarlig for å unngå brannfare.

When using 'isolere' in the context of insulation, you will often find it paired with the preposition mot (against). For instance, 'å isolere mot støy' (to insulate against noise) or 'å isolere mot kulde' (to insulate against cold). This structure is essential for specifying the purpose of the insulation.

Vi brukte spesialglass for å isolere leiligheten mot støyen fra gaten.

In abstract or analytical contexts, 'isolere' is often used with the preposition fra (from). 'Vi må isolere dette problemet fra de andre faktorene' (We must isolate this problem from the other factors). This highlights the separation of variables in a logical or scientific process.

You will encounter isolere in a variety of real-world scenarios in Norway. Because the word covers both social and physical domains, its frequency is quite high across different media and professional fields.

At the Hardware Store (Byggevarehus)
If you visit stores like Maxbo or Obs Bygg, you will hear staff and customers discussing how to 'isolere garasjen' (insulate the garage) or what materials are best to 'isolere et eldre hus' (insulate an older house). This is perhaps the most common practical use of the word.

Hvilken type glava bør jeg bruke for å isolere kjellerveggen?

In News and Health Reports
Norwegian news outlets like NRK or VG frequently use 'isolere' when reporting on infectious diseases or prison conditions (solitary confinement). In the context of the justice system, 'isolasjon' is the noun, but the verb 'isolere' describes the action of the authorities.

Politiet valgte å isolere den mistenkte for å hindre bevisforspillelse.

In the workplace, specifically in IT or engineering, you might hear 'isolere feilen' (isolate the error). This refers to the troubleshooting process where one eliminates possibilities until the exact source of a problem is found. This usage is very similar to the English technical usage.

Vi må prøve å isolere kildekoden som forårsaker krasjen.

Finally, in discussions about climate change and energy efficiency, 'isolere' is a keyword. Government incentives for 'energisparetiltak' (energy-saving measures) often focus on how well citizens 'isolerer boligene sine' (insulate their homes) to reduce the national carbon footprint.

While isolere is a cognate of the English 'isolate', its broader meaning in Norwegian can lead to several common pitfalls for English speakers. Understanding these nuances will help you sound more like a native speaker.

Mistake 1: Forgetting the Reflexive Pronoun
English speakers often say 'He is isolating' when they mean he is staying away from people. In Norwegian, you MUST say 'Han isolerer seg'. Without the reflexive 'seg', the sentence sounds incomplete, as if he is isolating an unspecified object.

Feil: Han isolerer i huset sitt.
Riktig: Han isolerer seg i huset sitt.

Mistake 2: Confusing 'Isolere' with 'Ensomhet'
'Isolere' is an action or a state of separation. 'Ensomhet' (loneliness) is the feeling associated with being alone. You can be 'isolert' (isolated) without being 'ensom' (lonely), and vice versa. Avoid using the verb 'isolere' when you actually want to describe the emotional state of feeling alone.
Mistake 3: Overlooking the 'Insulate' Meaning
Many learners search for a separate word for 'insulate' (like 'insulere', which doesn't exist in Norwegian). They might use 'beskytte' (protect) instead. While 'beskytte' is okay, 'isolere' is the technically correct term for thermal or electrical insulation.

Husk å isolere vannrørene før frosten kommer.

Lastly, be careful with the word 'isolasjon'. It can mean 'insulation material' (like fiberglass) or the 'state of isolation'. If you go to a shop and ask for 'isolasjon', they will point you to the construction materials. If you talk to a doctor about 'isolasjon', they will think about quarantine.

Depending on the context, you might want to use a more specific word than isolere. Norwegian offers several alternatives that can add precision to your speech or writing.

Avsondre
This is a more formal or literary synonym for 'isolere' in the sense of social separation. It suggests a more profound or deliberate setting apart. 'Han avsondret seg fra verden' (He secluded himself from the world).
Skille
Meaning 'to separate' or 'to divide'. While 'isolere' implies creating a barrier, 'skille' is more neutral. 'Vi må skille mellom disse to begrepene' (We must distinguish/separate between these two concepts).

Det er viktig å skille fakta fra fiksjon i denne saken.

Tette
Often used in construction alongside 'isolere'. 'Tette' means to seal or plug a leak. You might 'isolere' a wall with fiberglass and then 'tette' the gaps around a window with foam to prevent drafts (trekk).

In a social context, you might also use utestenge (to exclude/shut out). While 'isolere' can be self-inflicted, 'utestenge' implies that others are actively keeping someone out of a group. Understanding the difference between 'å isolere seg' (to isolate oneself) and 'å bli utestengt' (to be excluded) is vital for discussing social issues in Norwegian.

Ingen barn skal føle at de blir utestengt fra leken.

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

The word literally means 'to turn something into an island' (from Latin 'insula'). In Norway, where there are thousands of islands, this metaphor is particularly apt.

Aussprachehilfe

UK /ɪsuˈleːrə/
US /ɪsuˈleːrə/
The primary stress is on the third syllable: i-so-LE-re.
Reimt sich auf
vurdere spandere leverere kontrollere informere fungere blokkere notere
Häufige Fehler
  • Pronouncing the 'o' like the English 'o' in 'go'. In Norwegian, it sounds more like 'u'.
  • Forgetting the final 'e' or making it too strong.
  • Putting the stress on the first syllable.
  • Pronouncing it like the English 'isolate'.
  • Making the 'r' too hard or English-like.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 2/5

Easy to recognize because of the English cognate 'isolate'.

Schreiben 3/5

Requires knowledge of reflexive pronouns and weak verb endings.

Sprechen 3/5

The 'o' to 'u' sound change can be tricky for beginners.

Hören 2/5

Clear pronunciation in most dialects.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

skille alene vegg varme kald

Als Nächstes lernen

isolasjon beskytte vedlikeholde energisparing ensomhet

Fortgeschritten

avsondre segregere kontaminere eksponere

Wichtige Grammatik

Reflexive Pronouns

Jeg isolerer *meg*, han isolerer *seg*.

Weak Verb Group 2

Isolere - isolerer - isolerte - har isolert.

Passive -s form

Huset isoleres.

Compound Nouns

Varm-e-isolering (Heat insulation).

Prepositional Use

Isolere *mot* (protection) vs. Isolere *fra* (separation).

Beispiele nach Niveau

1

Jeg må isolere vinduet.

I must insulate the window.

Simple SVO structure.

2

Han vil isolere seg.

He wants to isolate himself.

Reflexive verb use.

3

Vi isolerer huset.

We are insulating the house.

Present tense.

4

Hunden er syk og må isoleres.

The dog is sick and must be isolated.

Passive form with -s.

5

Kan du isolere denne ledningen?

Can you insulate this wire?

Infinitive after modal verb.

6

Det er kaldt, vi må isolere mer.

It is cold, we must insulate more.

Adverb 'mer' modifying the verb.

7

Hun valgte å isolere seg.

She chose to isolate herself.

Past tense 'valgte' + infinitive.

8

Isolere betyr å skille.

Isolate means to separate.

Infinitive as subject.

1

Vi må isolere taket for å spare strøm.

We must insulate the roof to save electricity.

Purpose clause with 'for å'.

2

Legen sa at jeg må isolere meg i fem dager.

The doctor said I must isolate (myself) for five days.

Reported speech.

3

Er dette rommet godt isolert?

Is this room well insulated?

Past participle as adjective.

4

De begynte å isolere kjelleren i går.

They started to insulate the basement yesterday.

Past tense 'begynte'.

5

Det er viktig å isolere syke dyr.

It is important to isolate sick animals.

Adjective + 'å' + infinitive.

6

Hvorfor isolerer han seg fra oss?

Why is he isolating himself from us?

Question with reflexive pronoun.

7

Vi brukte ull for å isolere hytta.

We used wool to insulate the cabin.

Instrumental use of 'for å'.

8

Du må isolere ledningen med teip.

You must insulate the wire with tape.

Prepositional phrase 'med teip'.

1

Mange eldre isolerer seg fordi de føler seg ensomme.

Many elderly people isolate themselves because they feel lonely.

Causal clause with 'fordi'.

2

Det er dyrt å isolere et helt hus på nytt.

It is expensive to re-insulate an entire house.

Impersonal 'det' construction.

3

Vi må isolere lyden fra naboen.

We must isolate the sound from the neighbor.

Preposition 'fra' indicating source.

4

Forskerne prøver å isolere viruset i laboratoriet.

The researchers are trying to isolate the virus in the laboratory.

Scientific context.

5

Hvis du isolerer veggene, vil du bruke mindre penger på varme.

If you insulate the walls, you will spend less money on heat.

Conditional 'hvis' clause.

6

Han har isolert seg helt fra omverdenen.

He has isolated himself completely from the outside world.

Present perfect with 'helt'.

7

Det er nødvendig å isolere pasienter med smittsomme sykdommer.

It is necessary to isolate patients with contagious diseases.

Formal adjective 'nødvendig'.

8

Vi må isolere feilen før vi kan fikse systemet.

We must isolate the error before we can fix the system.

Temporal clause with 'før'.

1

Ved å isolere variablene kan vi se hva som faktisk påvirker resultatet.

By isolating the variables, we can see what actually affects the result.

Gerund-like 'ved å' construction.

2

Bygningen er isolert i henhold til de nyeste miljøkravene.

The building is insulated according to the latest environmental requirements.

Passive voice with 'i henhold til'.

3

Han ble isolert i fengselet på grunn av sin oppførsel.

He was isolated in prison because of his behavior.

Passive voice 'ble isolert'.

4

Det er vanskelig å isolere én enkelt årsak til problemet.

It is difficult to isolate a single cause of the problem.

Abstract usage.

5

Vi bør isolere rørene for å forhindre at de fryser.

We should insulate the pipes to prevent them from freezing.

Modal 'bør' + purpose clause.

6

Sosiale medier kan paradoxalt nok isolere oss fra ekte menneskelig kontakt.

Social media can paradoxically isolate us from real human contact.

Adverbial 'paradoxalt nok'.

7

De valgte å isolere det elektriske anlegget før reparasjonen.

They chose to isolate the electrical system before the repair.

Technical safety context.

8

Isolere mot støy er en prioritet i dette prosjektet.

Insulating against noise is a priority in this project.

Infinitive as subject.

1

Kjemikeren lyktes i å isolere det aktive stoffet fra planten.

The chemist succeeded in isolating the active substance from the plant.

Verb 'lykkes i å'.

2

Å isolere seg sosialt kan ha alvorlige konsekvenser for den mentale helsen.

Isolating oneself socially can have serious consequences for mental health.

Complex subject phrase.

3

Man må isolere de ulike komponentene i analysen for å få et klart bilde.

One must isolate the different components in the analysis to get a clear picture.

Generic pronoun 'man'.

4

Regjeringen forsøker å isolere den politiske opposisjonen.

The government is trying to isolate the political opposition.

Metaphorical political use.

5

Vi må isolere fundamentet mot fuktighet fra grunnen.

We must insulate the foundation against moisture from the ground.

Technical construction term.

6

Det er umulig å isolere økonomien fra globale svingninger.

It is impossible to isolate the economy from global fluctuations.

Abstract economic use.

7

De har isolert det aktuelle området for å sikre bevis.

They have isolated the relevant area to secure evidence.

Criminology context.

8

Å isolere problemet er det første steget i feilsøking.

Isolating the problem is the first step in troubleshooting.

Gerund-like infinitive.

1

Forfatteren skildrer hvordan karakteren velger å isolere seg i en eksistensiell krise.

The author depicts how the character chooses to isolate himself in an existential crisis.

Literary analysis.

2

Det kreves avansert teknologi for å isolere individuelle atomer.

Advanced technology is required to isolate individual atoms.

Passive 'det kreves'.

3

Man kan ikke isolere den estetiske verdien fra den historiske konteksten.

One cannot isolate the aesthetic value from the historical context.

Philosophical/Artistic debate.

4

Beslutningen om å isolere landet diplomatisk ble møtt med kritikk.

The decision to isolate the country diplomatically was met with criticism.

Noun + infinitive phrase.

5

Å isolere seg fra teknologisk utvikling er i dag nærmest umulig.

Isolating oneself from technological development is almost impossible today.

Complex adverbial 'nærmest'.

6

Vi må isolere de bakenforliggende årsakene til den økende ulikheten.

We must isolate the underlying causes of the increasing inequality.

Sophisticated vocabulary 'bakenforliggende'.

7

Ved å isolere lyden i studioet oppnådde de en perfekt innspilling.

By isolating the sound in the studio, they achieved a perfect recording.

Instrumental 'ved å'.

8

Det er en utfordring å isolere støy i åpne kontorlandskap.

It is a challenge to isolate noise in open-plan offices.

Architectural context.

Häufige Kollokationen

isolere seg helt
isolere mot kulde
godt isolert
isolere en variabel
isolere et virus
isolere lyden
isolere ledninger
isolere loftet
isolere pasienten
isolere feilen

Häufige Phrasen

å isolere seg fra omverdenen

— To cut oneself off from the outside world.

Han isolerte seg fra omverdenen etter ulykken.

å isolere et problem

— To identify and separate a specific problem.

Vi må isolere problemet før vi kan løse det.

være isolert

— To be in a state of isolation.

Bygda var isolert av snøen.

isolerte tilfeller

— Isolated incidents or cases.

Dette er bare isolerte tilfeller.

isolere mot støy

— To soundproof against noise.

Vi isolerte veggen mot støy.

isolere med mineralull

— To insulate using mineral wool.

De isolerte taket med mineralull.

isolere seg på rommet

— To stay alone in one's room.

Tenåringen isolerte seg på rommet sitt.

isolere en kjemisk forbindelse

— To isolate a chemical compound.

Forskerne isolerte forbindelsen.

isolere elektrisk

— To provide electrical insulation.

Det er viktig å isolere anlegget elektrisk.

isolere diplomatisk

— To isolate a nation diplomatically.

De prøvde å isolere landet diplomatisk.

Wird oft verwechselt mit

isolere vs ensomhet

Ensomhet is the feeling; isolasjon is the physical state.

isolere vs beskytte

Beskytte is general protection; isolere is creating a barrier.

isolere vs separere

Separere is often used for liquids or couples, while isolere is for barriers.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"å leve i en boble"

— To live in a bubble, related to being isolated from reality.

Han lever i sin egen boble.

informal
"å mure seg inne"

— To wall oneself in; to isolate oneself completely.

Hun har murt seg inne i leiligheten.

informal
"å være på en øde øy"

— To be on a desert island; to feel isolated.

Jeg føler meg som om jeg er på en øde øy.

figurative
"å stenge verden ute"

— To shut the world out.

Noen ganger må man bare stenge verden ute.

neutral
"å sitte i isolat"

— To be in solitary confinement or medical isolation.

Fangen måtte sitte i isolat.

formal
"å falle utenfor"

— To fall outside (society); to become isolated.

Mange unge står i fare for å falle utenfor.

neutral
"å trekke seg tilbake"

— To withdraw; a milder form of isolating oneself.

Han valgte å trekke seg tilbake fra offentligheten.

neutral
"å være helt alene i verden"

— To be completely alone in the world.

Etter at foreldrene døde, følte hun seg helt alene i verden.

emotive
"å gå i hi"

— To go into hibernation; to isolate oneself for a period.

Nå skal jeg gå i hi og skrive ferdig boka.

informal
"å kappe alle bånd"

— To cut all ties; to isolate oneself from previous contacts.

Han kappet alle bånd til fortiden.

neutral

Leicht verwechselbar

isolere vs isolering

Often confused with isolasjon.

Isolering is the act/process; isolasjon is the state or the material itself.

Isoleringen av taket tok to dager.

isolere vs isolasjon

Double meaning.

Can mean the material (fiberglass) or the state of being alone.

Vi kjøpte mye isolasjon på butikken.

isolere vs insulere

Fake word.

English speakers invent this based on 'insulate'. It does not exist.

Bruk 'isolere', ikke 'insulere'.

isolere vs avsondre

Similar meaning.

Much more formal and literary than isolere.

Han avsondret seg i skogen.

isolere vs utestenge

Social context.

Utestenge is active exclusion by others; isolere can be self-inflicted.

De valgte å utestenge ham fra møtet.

Satzmuster

A1

Jeg må isolere [objekt].

Jeg må isolere vinduet.

A2

Han isolerer seg [sted].

Han isolerer seg på rommet.

B1

Det er viktig å isolere [objekt] mot [noe].

Det er viktig å isolere huset mot kulde.

B2

Ved å isolere [objekt], kan vi [handling].

Ved å isolere feilen, kan vi fikse den.

C1

Å isolere seg fra [noe] er [adjektiv].

Å isolere seg fra omverdenen er utfordrende.

C2

[Substantiv] ble møtt med kritikk da de valgte å isolere [objekt].

Regjeringen ble møtt med kritikk da de valgte å isolere landet.

B1

Huset er [adverb] isolert.

Huset er dårlig isolert.

B2

Pasienten må [hjelpeverb] isoleres.

Pasienten må isoleres på sykehuset.

Wortfamilie

Substantive

isolasjon (isolation/insulation)
isolering (the act of insulating)
isolat (isolation ward)
isolator (insulator)

Verben

isolere (to isolate)
etterisolere (to add more insulation)
varmeisolere (to heat-insulate)
lydisolere (to soundproof)

Adjektive

isolert (isolated/insulated)
isolerende (insulating)
isolasjonistisk (isolationist)

Verwandt

skille
avsondre
beskytte
tette
varme

So verwendest du es

frequency

High, especially in winter and during health crises.

Häufige Fehler
  • Jeg isolerer i dag. Jeg isolerer meg i dag.

    Missing the reflexive pronoun makes the sentence incomplete.

  • Jeg må insulere huset. Jeg må isolere huset.

    'Insulere' is not a Norwegian word; it's a 'Nornglish' mistake.

  • Huset er isolert fra kulde. Huset er isolert mot kulde.

    Use the preposition 'mot' (against) for protection/insulation.

  • Han er veldig isolert. Han føler seg veldig ensom.

    Don't use 'isolert' if you mean the emotional state of loneliness.

  • Isolere viruset fra laboratoriet. Isolere viruset i laboratoriet.

    Prepositions change the meaning: 'fra' means away from, 'i' means inside.

Tipps

Reflexive Pronouns

Don't forget the 'seg' when talking about people. 'Han isolerer seg' is correct; 'Han isolerer' is not.

Construction Context

In a hardware store, 'isolere' always means 'insulate'. Look for the 'Isolasjon' aisle.

The 'O' Sound

Pronounce the 'o' like a long 'u' (as in 'moon'). This is standard for many Norwegian words.

Temperature

Use 'isolere mot kulde' (insulate against cold) to sound like a native.

Social Nuance

Distinguish between 'å være isolert' (the state) and 'å føle seg ensom' (the feeling).

Scientific Use

Use 'isolere variabler' when discussing research or experiments.

Electrical Safety

When working with electricity, 'isolere' is the word for covering wires for safety.

Health

During the pandemic, 'isolere' was used for those who were actually sick.

Compound Verbs

Try using 'lydisolere' or 'varmeisolere' for more precise writing.

Climate

Understand that 'isolering' is a huge topic in Norway because of the cold winters.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of an 'island' (insula). When you 'isolere' something, you turn it into an island, far away from everything else.

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a house wrapped in a giant wool sweater (insulation) or a person standing alone on a tiny island in the middle of the ocean (isolation).

Word Web

isolasjon varme kulde alene vegg virus ledning skille

Herausforderung

Try to use 'isolere' in three different ways today: once about your home, once about your work, and once about a social situation.

Wortherkunft

Derived from the French 'isoler', which comes from the Italian 'isolare'. This ultimately traces back to the Latin 'insulare' meaning 'to make into an island'.

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: To set apart like an island.

Indo-European (via Latin and Romance languages).

Kultureller Kontext

Be careful when discussing 'isolasjon' in prisons, as it is a controversial topic in Norwegian human rights debates.

In English, we use 'insulate' for heat/wires and 'isolate' for people. In Norwegian, 'isolere' does both jobs.

The movie 'The Thing' (1982) features scientists in an isolated (isolert) base in Antarctica. Henrik Ibsen's characters often 'isolere seg' from societal expectations. The pandemic 'isolasjonsregler' (isolation rules) in Norway.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Construction

  • Isolere loftet
  • God isoleringsevne
  • Etterisolere vegger
  • Isolasjonsmatter

Medical

  • Isolere pasienten
  • Smittevern og isolasjon
  • Isolasjonspost
  • Isolere et virus

Social/Psychological

  • Isolere seg fra venner
  • Sosial isolasjon
  • Føle seg isolert
  • Mure seg inne

Science/Technical

  • Isolere en variabel
  • Isolere en feil
  • Isolere et stoff
  • Elektrisk isolering

Legal/Prison

  • Sitte i isolasjon
  • Isolere fangen
  • Isolasjonsstraff
  • Full isolasjon

Gesprächseinstiege

"Har du noen gang måttet isolere deg på grunn av sykdom?"

"Hvordan kan vi best isolere husene våre for å spare strøm?"

"Tror du sosiale medier gjør at folk isolerer seg mer?"

"Hvor viktig er det å isolere barn fra visse typer innhold på nettet?"

"Har du erfaring med å lydisolere et rom?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

Beskriv en gang du valgte å isolere deg fra andre. Hvorfor gjorde du det?

Hva er fordelene og ulempene med å isolere et land økonomisk?

Hvordan ville livet ditt endret seg hvis du bodde i et dårlig isolert hus?

Reflekter over forskjellen mellom å være isolert og å være ensom.

Skriv om en teknisk feil du måtte isolere for å fikse noe.

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

No, in Norwegian it very often means to 'insulate' a house against cold or sound. Context is key.

'Skille' means to separate things that were together, while 'isolere' implies putting something in a place where it has no contact with others.

Yes, 'å isolere en ledning' is the correct term for electrical insulation.

Yes, it follows the weak Group 2 conjugation: isolerer, isolerte, har isolert.

The noun is 'selvisolering' and the verb phrase is 'å isolere seg selv'.

It refers to materials like fiberglass or rock wool used to keep heat in a building.

Yes, scientists 'isolerer' bacteria, viruses, or specific chemical compounds.

Yes, countries can be 'isolert' diplomatically or economically.

The opposite can be 'inkludert' (included) or 'integrert' (integrated).

Yes, it is very common in Norway due to the climate and modern health/social discussions.

Teste dich selbst 190 Fragen

writing

Write a sentence about insulating a house.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence about someone staying alone.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Explain why insulation is important in Norway.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Discuss the effects of social isolation on health.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

How do scientists isolate a virus?

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence using 'isolere mot støy'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence using 'isolere seg fra'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a formal sentence about diplomatic isolation.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence about electrical safety.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence using the passive form 'isoleres'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Describe a well-insulated house.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write about a time you felt isolated.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Use 'isolere' in a troubleshooting context.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence about soundproofing a studio.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence using 'etterisolere'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence about a sick animal.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Use 'isolert sett' in a sentence.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence about insulating pipes.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence using 'mure seg inne'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence about isolating a chemical.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'Jeg må isolere huset mitt.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'Han isolerer seg på rommet.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Explain: 'Hvorfor er isolering viktig?'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Discuss: 'Hva er fordelene med lydisolering?'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Argue: 'Bør fanger sitte i isolasjon?'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'Vi må isolere mot kulde.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'Pasienten må isoleres.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'Huset er godt isolert.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'Vi må isolere feilen.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'Isolert sett er det greit.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'Jeg vil ikke isolere meg.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'De isolerte viruset.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'Vi skal etterisolere loftet.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'Det er viktig å isolere variablene.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'Lydisolering er nødvendig.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'Husk å isolere ledningen.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'Bygda var isolert av snø.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'De murer seg inne.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'Isolasjonsmaterialet er dyrt.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'Vi må isolere problemet.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and write: 'Vi må isolere huset.'

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and write: 'Han isolerer seg helt.'

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and write: 'Huset er godt isolert mot støy.'

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and write: 'Legen sa at jeg må isoleres.'

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and write: 'Forskerne har isolert det nye viruset.'

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen: 'Isolering'. How many syllables?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen: 'Isolert'. Is the 't' pronounced clearly?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and identify the verb: 'De isolerte veggene i går.'

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and identify the noun: 'Isolasjonen er gammel.'

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen: 'Lydisolering'. What is the prefix?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and write: 'Må du isolere ledningen?'

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and write: 'De isolerer seg på hytta.'

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and write: 'Isolert sett er det greit.'

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and write: 'Vi må isolere feilkilden.'

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and write: 'Vinduet er dårlig isolert.'

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:

/ 190 correct

Perfect score!

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