At the A1 level, learners should recognize 'isolamento' as a word that looks like the English 'isolation'. You might see it in simple news headlines or health notices. At this stage, you don't need to use it in complex ways, but you should know it refers to being alone or separated. You might encounter it in the context of 'isolamento social' (social isolation) in basic health conversations. Think of it simply as the noun form of 'sozinho' (alone), even though that is not perfectly accurate. You should focus on recognizing the word and knowing it is masculine: 'o isolamento'. You might hear a teacher say 'Não fiquem em isolamento, trabalhem em grupo' (Don't stay in isolation, work in groups). It is a good word to have in your passive vocabulary as you begin to navigate Portuguese-speaking environments, especially in hospitals or during public health announcements. Focus on the 'z' sound of the 's' and the 'oo' sound of the 'o' at the end.
At the A2 level, you should start using 'isolamento' in basic sentences, particularly when discussing health or housing. You should understand that 'isolamento' is used for 'insulation' in a house. If you are describing your home, you might say 'A minha casa tem bom isolamento' (My house has good insulation). You should also be able to use the phrase 'estar em isolamento' if you are talking about being sick or staying home. At this level, you begin to distinguish between the noun 'isolamento' and the adjective 'isolado'. You should also be aware of common pairings like 'isolamento social'. Your goal is to use the word to describe simple physical states or basic technical aspects of your environment. You are moving beyond just recognizing the word to incorporating it into your descriptions of daily life and health.
At the B1 level, you are expected to use 'isolamento' more flexibly in various contexts, including social issues and more detailed technical descriptions. You should be able to discuss the 'isolamento' of rural areas and how it affects people's lives. You should also be comfortable using it in academic or professional settings to describe 'isolamento de problemas' (isolating problems). You should understand the difference between 'isolamento' and 'solidão' and be able to explain that someone can be in isolation without being lonely. At this level, you should also be familiar with 'isolamento acústico' and 'isolamento térmico' when discussing construction or renovation. You can use the word to express more complex ideas about society, such as 'O isolamento dos idosos é um problema grave' (The isolation of the elderly is a serious problem). Your vocabulary is expanding to include the metaphorical uses of the word.
At the B2 level, you should use 'isolamento' with precision in formal writing and debate. You can discuss 'isolamento diplomático' in the context of international relations or 'isolamento profilático' in medical discussions. You understand the nuances of the word in literature and can describe a character's state of isolation using sophisticated adjectives like 'prolongado' (prolonged), 'voluntário' (voluntary), or 'extremo' (extreme). You are also aware of the word's role in scientific contexts, such as the 'isolamento de bactérias' or 'isolamento de variáveis'. Your use of the word is natural, and you can switch between its technical, social, and psychological meanings without hesitation. You can also use related verbs like 'provocar', 'evitar', or 'romper' to create complex sentences that describe the dynamics of isolation in society or science.
At the C1 level, you have a deep understanding of the historical and cultural connotations of 'isolamento' in the Lusophone world. You can discuss the 'isolamento' of Portugal during the Estado Novo period or the 'isolamento' of indigenous tribes in the Amazon with cultural sensitivity and historical accuracy. You use the word in high-level academic writing, perhaps discussing 'isolamento geográfico' as a factor in linguistic evolution (dialectology). You can appreciate the use of 'isolamento' in complex literary texts, such as those by Saramago or Lobo Antunes, where the word might carry multiple layers of meaning. Your command of the word allows you to use it in subtle, metaphorical ways to describe complex human conditions or sophisticated scientific processes. You are also aware of rare or archaic synonyms and can choose 'isolamento' specifically for its precise register.
At the C2 level, your mastery of 'isolamento' is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker. You can use the word in any context, from the most technical engineering manual to the most abstract philosophical treatise. You can play with the word's meanings in creative writing or rhetoric, perhaps using it as a central metaphor in an essay or speech. You understand all the idiomatic and peripheral uses of the word, including its role in very specific scientific fields like quantum physics or advanced microbiology. You can engage in deep discussions about the 'isolamento' of the self in modern society, citing sociological theories and literary examples. The word is no longer a vocabulary item for you; it is a versatile tool that you use with absolute precision and stylistic flair to convey exactly what you mean in any given situation.

isolamento en 30 segundos

  • A masculine noun meaning isolation or insulation.
  • Used in social, medical, and technical (construction) contexts.
  • Always paired with 'o' or 'um' and often follows 'em'.
  • Essential for discussing health, housing, and social issues.

The Portuguese word isolamento is a masculine noun that fundamentally describes the state of being separated, detached, or cut off from a larger group, environment, or system. At its core, it translates to 'isolation' in English, but its applications in the Portuguese-speaking world span a vast array of technical, emotional, and physical contexts. Understanding isolamento requires looking beyond just the feeling of being alone; it is a multifaceted term used in architecture, medicine, psychology, and sociology. When a Portuguese speaker uses this word, they might be referring to a person living in a remote village, a patient in a hospital, or even the materials used to keep a house warm during the winter in the northern regions of Portugal. The word carries a neutral to formal tone, though it can take on heavy emotional weight depending on the context of social interaction or mental health.

Physical Separation
This refers to the geographic or spatial distance from others. For example, a house built on top of a mountain exists in a state of geographic isolation. In Portuguese, we say that the house is in a state of 'isolamento geográfico'. This is common when discussing rural depopulation in the interior of Portugal or the vast distances in Brazil.

O isolamento daquela aldeia dificulta o acesso a médicos e escolas de qualidade.

Technical and Construction Contexts
In the world of engineering and home improvement, 'isolamento' refers to insulation. If you want to keep your apartment quiet from the noisy neighbors in Lisbon, you need 'isolamento acústico' (acoustic insulation). If you want to keep the heat in during the winter, you need 'isolamento térmico' (thermal insulation). This is a very common practical use of the word that English speakers might initially overlook, as they might expect a word more similar to 'insulation'.
Medical and Health Contexts
Particularly since the global pandemic, 'isolamento' has become a household term for quarantine or medical separation. 'Isolamento profilático' refers to preventative isolation. It is used when someone is contagious or when their immune system is compromised and they need protection from external germs. It is a clinical term but used widely in news and daily conversation.

Durante a pandemia, todos nós tivemos que praticar o isolamento social para proteger os mais idosos.

Furthermore, isolamento is used in psychology to describe the state of social withdrawal. Unlike 'solidão' (solitude/loneliness), which often focuses on the internal feeling, isolamento often focuses on the objective state of being away from others. A person can be in isolamento and feel fine, or they can be in isolamento and feel desperately lonely. The word is clinical and descriptive. It is also used in electrical engineering to describe 'electrical insulation' (isolamento elétrico), ensuring that electricity does not escape its intended path. This versatility makes it one of the most useful nouns to learn for intermediate students who want to discuss both everyday life and specialized topics.

O artista escolheu o isolamento do campo para terminar a sua grande obra-prima.

Using isolamento correctly in a sentence requires an understanding of its grammatical role as a masculine noun and its common collocations. In Portuguese, nouns are almost always preceded by an article or a possessive. You will most frequently see it as 'o isolamento' (the isolation) or 'um isolamento' (an isolation). Because it is a concept, it is often used with prepositions like 'em' (in) to describe a state of being. For instance, 'estar em isolamento' is the standard way to say 'to be in isolation'. This structure is used regardless of whether the isolation is medical, social, or geographic.

Describing Emotional States
When talking about someone's mental health or social habits, 'isolamento' is used to describe the act of pulling away from others. You might say 'O isolamento social dele preocupa a família' (His social isolation worries the family). Here, the word functions as the subject of the sentence, driving the action of the verb 'preocupar'. It is important to note that 'isolamento' is a more formal and clinical term than 'estar sozinho' (being alone).

Muitos idosos sofrem com o isolamento nas grandes cidades modernas.

Technical and Material Descriptions
In technical contexts, 'isolamento' is usually followed by an adjective that specifies what is being isolated. The word order is crucial in Portuguese: the noun comes first, then the adjective. 'Isolamento térmico' (thermal insulation), 'isolamento acústico' (acoustic insulation), and 'isolamento elétrico' (electrical insulation) are the three most common technical pairings. If you are describing a product, you might say 'Este material oferece um excelente isolamento acústico'.

O engenheiro recomendou reforçar o isolamento das paredes para poupar energia.

Verbs Commonly Paired with Isolamento
To use this word naturally, you should learn the verbs that usually accompany it. 'Provocar' (to cause), 'romper' (to break/end), 'manter' (to maintain), and 'sofrer' (to suffer) are frequent partners. For example: 'É difícil romper o isolamento de certas tribos na Amazónia' (It is difficult to break the isolation of certain tribes in the Amazon). Or: 'O paciente deve manter o isolamento por dez dias' (The patient must maintain isolation for ten days).

In more advanced usage, you might see isolamento used in political or economic contexts, such as 'isolamento internacional' (international isolation), referring to a country that has been sanctioned or cut off from global diplomacy. This shows how the word moves from the physical to the metaphorical. When constructing your own sentences, think about the *type* of isolation first, and then select the appropriate adjective to follow the word isolamento.

O país enfrenta um isolamento diplomático após as recentes decisões do governo.

If you are living in a Portuguese-speaking country, you will encounter the word isolamento in several specific environments. First and foremost, you will hear it on the evening news (o telejornal). News anchors frequently use it when discussing social issues, such as the 'isolamento dos idosos' (isolation of the elderly) in rural areas like the Alentejo in Portugal or the interior of Minas Gerais in Brazil. It is a key term in sociological reporting. Secondly, you will hear it in any medical setting. If you visit a 'centro de saúde' (health center) or a hospital, signs might indicate 'zona de isolamento' (isolation zone) for infectious diseases. Doctors will use it to give instructions to patients who need to stay home and avoid contact with others.

In the Workplace and Real Estate
If you are looking for an apartment or house, 'isolamento' is a major selling point. Real estate agents (agentes imobiliários) will highlight 'bom isolamento térmico e acústico' to justify a higher price. In the workplace, particularly in industrial or technical jobs, safety officers will talk about 'isolamento de cabos' (cable insulation) or 'isolamento de áreas perigosas' (isolation of dangerous areas). It is a word that signals safety and quality of construction.

Este apartamento é muito frio no inverno porque não tem um bom isolamento.

Academic and Scientific Discourse
In universities, you will hear researchers talk about the 'isolamento de variáveis' (isolation of variables) in scientific experiments. Biologists might talk about the 'isolamento de uma nova espécie' (isolation of a new species) in an ecosystem. In these contexts, the word is used with high precision to mean the separation of one element from a complex whole for the purpose of study or identification. It is a staple of academic Portuguese.

O laboratório conseguiu o isolamento do vírus para análise detalhada.

Finally, in literature and film, isolamento is a common theme. You might read a book review describing a character's 'isolamento existencial' (existential isolation), which is a common trope in the works of famous authors like Fernando Pessoa or Clarice Lispector. In these cases, the word takes on a poetic and philosophical quality, moving away from the physical and technical into the realm of the soul and the mind. Whether you are reading a technical manual, a newspaper, or a classic novel, isolamento will appear as a fundamental concept of the human and physical experience.

O filme explora o isolamento de um astronauta perdido no espaço.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make when using isolamento is confusing it with the word 'solidão'. While both can relate to being alone, they are not interchangeable. 'Solidão' refers to the *feeling* of being lonely—it is subjective and emotional. You can be surrounded by people and still feel 'solidão'. Isolamento, on the other hand, is the objective *state* of being separated. You can be in isolamento (for example, in a research station in Antarctica) and not feel 'solidão' because you are busy and happy. Conversely, you can feel 'solidão' in the middle of a crowded party in Rio de Janeiro without being in isolamento.

Confusing Isolation with Insulation
In English, we have two distinct words: 'isolation' (for people/concepts) and 'insulation' (for buildings/electricity). In Portuguese, isolamento covers both. A common mistake for learners is to try to find a word that sounds like 'insulation' (like 'insulação', which is incorrect/rare). Remember: if you are talking about keeping your house warm or quiet, you must use isolamento.

Errado: A casa precisa de boa insulação.
Correto: A casa precisa de bom isolamento térmico.

Gender and Article Errors
Because many abstract nouns in Portuguese ending in '-ção' are feminine (like 'educação' or 'nação'), learners sometimes assume isolamento is feminine too. However, words ending in '-mento' are almost universally masculine. Using 'a isolamento' is a very common beginner mistake. It must always be 'o isolamento'.
Preposition Pitfalls
Learners often struggle with which preposition to use with 'isolamento'. While in English we say 'isolation *from* others', in Portuguese we often use 'isolamento *em relação aos* outros' or 'isolamento *de*'. However, when describing the state of being isolated, the most common error is forgetting the 'em'. You don't 'estar isolamento', you 'está **em** isolamento'.

O cientista vive em isolamento total no deserto.

Finally, avoid overusing the word isolamento when a simpler adjective would suffice. For example, instead of saying 'Ele está num estado de isolamento', it is often more natural to say 'Ele está isolado'. Using the noun isolamento makes the sentence sound more formal or clinical, which might not always be your intention in a casual conversation at a café.

To truly master the concept of isolamento, it is helpful to understand the nuances of its synonyms and related terms. Depending on the context, you might want to choose a word that is more specific or has a different emotional tone. Portuguese is a rich language with many ways to describe the act of being apart.

Solidão vs. Isolamento
As mentioned before, 'solidão' is the emotional state of loneliness. Use 'solidão' when you want to talk about how someone feels. Use 'isolamento' when you want to talk about the physical or social fact of being alone. Example: 'Ele gosta do isolamento da sua cabana, mas às vezes sente solidão' (He likes the isolation of his cabin, but sometimes he feels loneliness).
Afastamento
'Afastamento' means 'distancing' or 'withdrawal'. It is often used in social or professional contexts. If a politician steps away from their duties, it is an 'afastamento'. It implies a movement away from something, whereas 'isolamento' implies a state of being already away.

Houve um afastamento entre os dois amigos após a discussão.

Enclausuramento
This is a much stronger word, meaning 'confinement' or 'cloistering'. It comes from 'clausura' (enclosure). It is used for monks in a monastery or someone who is literally locked away. It carries a sense of being trapped that 'isolamento' does not necessarily have.
Segregação
'Segregação' (segregation) is a form of forced isolation, usually based on social, racial, or economic factors. While 'isolamento' can be voluntary or accidental, 'segregação' is almost always systemic and negative. It is used in political and historical discussions.

A segregação social nas cidades brasileiras é um tema complexo.

In summary, while isolamento is the most versatile and general term, choosing words like 'solidão' for feelings, 'afastamento' for the act of leaving, or 'enclausuramento' for intense confinement will make your Portuguese sound much more sophisticated and precise. Always consider the *cause* and the *feeling* behind the separation before choosing your word.

How Formal Is It?

Dato curioso

The word literally suggests making someone or something into an island. This is why 'ilha' (island) and 'isolamento' sound somewhat similar in Portuguese.

Guía de pronunciación

UK /izu.lɐˈmẽ.tu/
US /izu.laˈmẽ.tu/
The stress is on the second to last syllable: 'MEN'.
Rima con
movimento apartamento sentimento momento conhecimento pensamento nascimento casamento
Errores comunes
  • Pronouncing the 's' as 's' instead of 'z'.
  • Pronouncing the final 'o' as a strong 'oh'.
  • Forgetting the nasal 'n' in the 'men' syllable.

Nivel de dificultad

Lectura 2/5

Easy to recognize because it looks like 'isolation'.

Escritura 3/5

Requires remembering the '-mento' ending and masculine gender.

Expresión oral 3/5

The 's' as 'z' and nasal vowels can be tricky for beginners.

Escucha 2/5

Usually clear in context, especially in news or technical talk.

Qué aprender después

Requisitos previos

sozinho ilha quarto casa saúde

Aprende después

isolar isolado confinamento solidão afastamento

Avanzado

ontológico solipsismo hermeticidade estanque

Gramática que debes saber

Nouns ending in -mento are masculine.

O isolamento, o movimento, o apartamento.

The 's' between two vowels is pronounced like 'z'.

Isolamento, casa, rosa.

Adjectives follow the noun they modify.

Isolamento social, não social isolamento.

Preposition 'em' + 'o' = 'no'.

Ele está no isolamento (He is in the isolation).

Nasal vowels are created by 'n' or 'm' after a vowel.

Iso-la-MEN-to.

Ejemplos por nivel

1

O médico disse que eu preciso de isolamento.

The doctor said I need isolation.

'O' is the masculine article for 'isolamento'.

2

Estar em isolamento é difícil.

Being in isolation is difficult.

'Estar em' is the standard phrase for 'to be in'.

3

A aldeia vive em isolamento.

The village lives in isolation.

'Vive em' shows a continuous state of being.

4

Eu não gosto do isolamento.

I don't like isolation.

'Do' is the contraction of 'de' + 'o'.

5

O isolamento social é importante agora.

Social isolation is important now.

'Social' is an adjective modifying 'isolamento'.

6

O quarto tem isolamento?

Does the room have isolation (insulation)?

In this context, it refers to sound or heat.

7

Ele prefere o isolamento.

He prefers isolation.

'Prefere' is the third person singular of 'preferir'.

8

O isolamento terminou ontem.

The isolation ended yesterday.

'Terminou' is the past tense of 'terminar'.

1

Esta casa tem um bom isolamento térmico.

This house has good thermal insulation.

'Térmico' must be masculine to match 'isolamento'.

2

O isolamento acústico deste hotel é péssimo.

The acoustic insulation of this hotel is terrible.

'Péssimo' means 'very bad' and modifies 'isolamento'.

3

O paciente foi colocado em isolamento profilático.

The patient was placed in preventative isolation.

'Profilático' is a common medical adjective for 'preventative'.

4

O isolamento da ilha atrai muitos turistas.

The isolation of the island attracts many tourists.

'Da ilha' indicates what is being isolated.

5

O isolamento prolongado pode causar tristeza.

Prolonged isolation can cause sadness.

'Prolongado' means 'long-lasting'.

6

Eles vivem num isolamento quase total.

They live in almost total isolation.

'Num' is the contraction of 'em' + 'um'.

7

O isolamento das janelas ajuda a poupar dinheiro.

The insulation of the windows helps to save money.

'Das janelas' specifies the object of the insulation.

8

Precisamos de melhorar o isolamento desta parede.

We need to improve the insulation of this wall.

'Melhorar' is the infinitive 'to improve'.

1

O isolamento geográfico moldou a cultura daquela região.

Geographic isolation shaped the culture of that region.

'Moldou' is the past tense of 'moldar' (to shape).

2

Muitos idosos vivem num estado de isolamento preocupante.

Many elderly people live in a state of worrying isolation.

'Preocupante' is an adjective that doesn't change gender.

3

O isolamento de variáveis é essencial para o sucesso da experiência.

The isolation of variables is essential for the success of the experiment.

'De variáveis' is a plural possessive phrase.

4

O artista buscou o isolamento para encontrar inspiração.

The artist sought isolation to find inspiration.

'Buscou' is the past tense of 'buscar' (to seek).

5

O isolamento acústico permite que eu toque bateria sem incomodar.

Acoustic insulation allows me to play drums without disturbing.

'Permite que' triggers the subjunctive mood, but here 'que eu toque' is simple.

6

O isolamento das comunidades indígenas é um tema debatido.

The isolation of indigenous communities is a debated topic.

'Debatido' modifies 'tema'.

7

O isolamento diplomático do país teve consequências económicas.

The country's diplomatic isolation had economic consequences.

'Teve' is the irregular past tense of 'ter'.

8

O isolamento elétrico deve ser verificado regularmente.

The electrical insulation must be checked regularly.

'Deve ser verificado' is a passive construction.

1

O isolamento voluntário pode ser uma forma de autodescoberta.

Voluntary isolation can be a form of self-discovery.

'Voluntário' indicates the isolation was a choice.

2

A falta de isolamento térmico aumenta o consumo de energia.

The lack of thermal insulation increases energy consumption.

'Falta de' means 'lack of'.

3

O isolamento das fibras musculares é o objetivo deste exercício.

The isolation of muscle fibers is the goal of this exercise.

'Musculares' is the plural adjective for 'muscle'.

4

O isolamento forçado durante a guerra deixou marcas profundas.

Forced isolation during the war left deep marks.

'Forçado' is the opposite of 'voluntário'.

5

O isolamento do vírus permitiu a criação de uma vacina eficaz.

The isolation of the virus allowed the creation of an effective vaccine.

'Permitiu' is the past tense of 'permitir'.

6

O isolamento das zonas rurais contribui para a desertificação.

The isolation of rural areas contributes to desertification.

'Desertificação' refers to the loss of population in this context.

7

O isolamento entre as classes sociais é visível na arquitetura da cidade.

The isolation between social classes is visible in the city's architecture.

'Entre' is the preposition for 'between'.

8

O isolamento do sistema informático protege contra ataques externos.

The isolation of the computer system protects against external attacks.

'Contra' is the preposition for 'against'.

1

O isolamento existencial é um tema recorrente na literatura moderna.

Existential isolation is a recurring theme in modern literature.

'Recorrente' means 'recurring'.

2

O isolamento de certas populações levou à deriva genética.

The isolation of certain populations led to genetic drift.

'Levou à' means 'led to'.

3

A política de isolamento internacional revelou-se um fracasso total.

The policy of international isolation proved to be a total failure.

'Revelou-se' is a reflexive construction meaning 'proved to be'.

4

O isolamento sensorial pode induzir estados alterados de consciência.

Sensory isolation can induce altered states of consciousness.

'Induzir' means 'to induce' or 'to cause'.

5

O isolamento das variáveis externas é crucial para a validade do estudo.

Isolating external variables is crucial for the study's validity.

'Crucial' is a high-level synonym for 'important'.

6

O isolamento do poeta era necessário para a sua produção criativa.

The poet's isolation was necessary for his creative production.

'Era' is the imperfect past of 'ser'.

7

O isolamento das comunidades serranas preservou dialetos antigos.

The isolation of mountain communities preserved ancient dialects.

'Serranas' refers to things related to mountains.

8

O isolamento do núcleo da célula foi um marco na biologia.

The isolation of the cell nucleus was a milestone in biology.

'Marco' means 'milestone' or 'landmark'.

1

O isolamento solipsista do protagonista reflete a angústia da época.

The protagonist's solipsistic isolation reflects the era's anguish.

'Solipsista' is a very advanced philosophical adjective.

2

A hermeticidade e o isolamento do grupo geraram suspeitas externas.

The group's hermeticism and isolation generated external suspicions.

'Hermeticidade' is a high-level word for 'secrecy'.

3

O isolamento estanque das áreas de investigação garante a segurança máxima.

The watertight isolation of the research areas guarantees maximum safety.

'Estanque' means 'watertight' or 'airtight', used metaphorically.

4

O isolamento da variável dependente permitiu uma análise estatística rigorosa.

The isolation of the dependent variable allowed for a rigorous statistical analysis.

'Rigorosa' means 'rigorous' or 'strict'.

5

O isolamento das elites políticas distancia-as das necessidades do povo.

The isolation of political elites distances them from the people's needs.

'-as' is the direct object pronoun referring to 'elites'.

6

O isolamento ontológico do ser humano é uma questão central da filosofia.

The ontological isolation of the human being is a central question of philosophy.

'Ontológico' refers to the nature of being.

7

O isolamento galvânico é essencial para proteger circuitos sensíveis.

Galvanic isolation is essential to protect sensitive circuits.

'Galvânico' is a highly specific electrical engineering term.

8

O isolamento das fontes de erro é o primeiro passo de qualquer auditoria.

Isolating sources of error is the first step of any audit.

'Auditoria' means 'audit'.

Colocaciones comunes

isolamento social
isolamento térmico
isolamento acústico
isolamento profilático
isolamento geográfico
isolamento diplomático
isolamento elétrico
isolamento total
romper o isolamento
manter o isolamento

Frases Comunes

Em isolamento

— To be in a state of isolation.

O paciente está em isolamento.

Zona de isolamento

— A specific area designated for separation.

Não entre na zona de isolamento.

Isolamento de base

— A structural engineering technique for earthquakes.

O edifício usa isolamento de base.

Isolamento de variáveis

— Separating factors in a scientific study.

O isolamento de variáveis foi difícil.

Viver no isolamento

— To live apart from society.

Ele escolheu viver no isolamento.

Isolamento de recursos

— Allocating resources specifically to one task.

O isolamento de recursos melhorou a eficiência.

Isolamento de rede

— Keeping a computer network separate for security.

O isolamento de rede evitou o vírus.

Isolamento de som

— Another way to say acoustic insulation.

O isolamento de som é essencial no cinema.

Isolamento de vibração

— Preventing movement from transferring.

A máquina precisa de isolamento de vibração.

Isolamento forçado

— Being made to stay alone.

O isolamento forçado foi um castigo.

Se confunde a menudo con

isolamento vs solidão

Solidão is the feeling; isolamento is the physical state.

isolamento vs insulação

Insulação is an incorrect anglicism; always use isolamento.

isolamento vs confinamento

Confinamento is more restrictive and often forced, like in a prison or strict quarantine.

Modismos y expresiones

"Quebrar o gelo do isolamento"

— To start interacting after a long period alone.

Ele finalmente quebrou o gelo do isolamento e saiu de casa.

informal
"Torre de marfim"

— Metaphorical isolation from reality (similar to English).

O professor vive numa torre de marfim, em total isolamento.

literary
"Ilha de isolamento"

— A person or group completely cut off.

Eles são uma ilha de isolamento naquela empresa.

metaphorical
"Muro de isolamento"

— A psychological barrier preventing connection.

Ela construiu um muro de isolamento ao seu redor.

poetic
"Deserto de isolamento"

— A vast, empty feeling of being alone.

Ele perdeu-se num deserto de isolamento emocional.

literary
"Cápsula de isolamento"

— A safe, self-contained environment.

O carro elétrico é como uma cápsula de isolamento do ruído.

modern
"Isolamento de ouro"

— Being alone but in luxury.

O herdeiro vive num isolamento de ouro na sua mansão.

journalistic
"Vácuo de isolamento"

— A state where no information or contact reaches someone.

O líder vive num vácuo de isolamento informativo.

political
"Bolha de isolamento"

— Similar to 'social bubble'.

As redes sociais criam bolhas de isolamento.

sociological
"Isolamento de pedra"

— Hard, cold isolation.

O prisioneiro estava num isolamento de pedra.

poetic

Fácil de confundir

isolamento vs isolado

It is the adjective form.

Isolamento is the noun (the concept), isolado is the adjective (the state of the person/thing).

O lugar está isolado; o isolamento é grande.

isolamento vs sozinho

Both mean 'alone'.

Sozinho is an adjective/adverb used for people. Isolamento is a noun for the concept.

Ele está sozinho; ele vive em isolamento.

isolamento vs apartado

Means 'separated'.

Apartado is often used for physical separation of objects or legal separation.

O anexo está apartado da casa.

isolamento vs remoto

Means 'remote'.

Remoto describes distance; isolamento describes the state resulting from that distance.

Um lugar remoto causa isolamento.

isolamento vs deserto

Means 'deserted'.

Deserto implies no people at all; isolamento can apply even if people are nearby but separated.

A rua está deserta.

Patrones de oraciones

A1

O [noun] é [adjective].

O isolamento é mau.

A2

A casa tem [adjective] isolamento.

A casa tem bom isolamento.

B1

O isolamento de [noun] é [adjective].

O isolamento da aldeia é total.

B2

Estar em isolamento permite [verb].

Estar em isolamento permite refletir.

C1

Apesar do isolamento, [clause].

Apesar do isolamento, ele está feliz.

C2

O isolamento [verb] a [noun].

O isolamento exacerba a melancolia.

B1

É necessário romper o isolamento.

É necessário romper o isolamento social.

A2

Eu preciso de isolamento.

Eu preciso de isolamento acústico.

Familia de palabras

Sustantivos

isolamento
isolador
isolacionismo
isolacionista

Verbos

isolar
isolar-se

Adjetivos

isolado
isolante
isolacionista

Relacionado

ilha
isolar
isolamento
isolante
isolada

Cómo usarlo

frequency

Common in news, construction, and health.

Errores comunes
  • A isolamento O isolamento

    'Isolamento' is a masculine noun.

  • Insulação térmica Isolamento térmico

    'Insulação' is an incorrect anglicism.

  • Sinto muito isolamento Sinto muita solidão

    If you are talking about the feeling of being lonely, use 'solidão'.

  • Isolamento social isolamento Isolamento social

    In Portuguese, the adjective usually follows the noun.

  • Estou isolamento Estou em isolamento

    You need the preposition 'em' to describe the state of being in isolation.

Consejos

Learn the -mento rule

Almost all Portuguese nouns ending in -mento are masculine. This helps you remember 'o isolamento' easily.

The Z sound

Always pronounce the 's' in isolamento as a 'z'. Practice saying 'ee-zoo-la-MEN-too'.

House shopping

If you are looking for an apartment, ask about the 'isolamento'. It's a key word for quality of life in Portugal and Brazil.

The 'em' preposition

Remember to use 'em' when describing the state: 'estar em isolamento'.

Medical context

In a hospital, look for the word 'isolamento' to know where restricted areas are.

Academic writing

Use 'isolamento' to sound more professional than just using 'sozinho'.

News watching

Listen for this word in news segments about the 'interior' of Portugal to hear its natural pronunciation and context.

Social bubbles

In modern Brazil, 'isolamento' is often used to describe social bubbles in cities.

Island Mento

Associate 'Isola' with 'Island' to remember the meaning of being separate.

Feelings vs Facts

Always use 'solidão' for feelings and 'isolamento' for the physical state of being apart.

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Imagine a house on an ISLAND (Isolamento). It's ISOLATED from the mainland and needs INSULATION (Isolamento) to stay warm.

Asociación visual

Picture a thick 'Mento' (the candy) acting as a barrier between two people. The 'Mento' creates 'Isola-mento'.

Word Web

ilha isolar sozinho quarentena acústico térmico social geográfico

Desafío

Try to describe your house's 'isolamento' using at least three different adjectives (térmico, acústico, elétrico).

Origen de la palabra

From the Italian 'isolamento', which comes from 'isolare' (to isolate), derived from the Latin 'insula' (island).

Significado original: To make something into an island; to detach from the mainland.

Romance (Latin root).

Contexto cultural

Be careful when using 'isolamento' with people; it can imply a sad or forced state unless specified as 'voluntário'.

English speakers often use 'insulation' for buildings, but Portuguese uses 'isolamento' for both people and buildings.

O Isolamento (poetry theme by Fernando Pessoa) Isolamento Social (Sociological studies in Brazil) Isolamento Acústico (Common requirement for Lisbon Airbnbs)

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

Construction

  • isolamento térmico
  • isolamento acústico
  • lã de rocha
  • vidro duplo

Health

  • isolamento profilático
  • quarentena
  • contágio
  • máscara

Social Issues

  • isolamento dos idosos
  • solidão
  • exclusão social
  • apoio comunitário

Science

  • isolamento de bactérias
  • variável independente
  • laboratório
  • ensaio

Geography

  • região remota
  • acessibilidade
  • aldeia isolada
  • interior do país

Inicios de conversación

"Achas que o isolamento social é um problema nas grandes cidades?"

"A tua casa tem um bom isolamento térmico para o inverno?"

"Como é que lidaste com o isolamento durante a pandemia?"

"Preferes o isolamento do campo ou a confusão da cidade?"

"O que é preciso para garantir um bom isolamento acústico num estúdio?"

Temas para diario

Escreve sobre uma vez em que estiveste em isolamento voluntário.

Quais são as vantagens e desvantagens do isolamento geográfico?

Descreve a importância do isolamento térmico na tua casa ideal.

Como é que a tecnologia ajuda a combater o isolamento dos idosos?

Reflete sobre a diferença entre isolamento e solidão na tua vida.

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

It is masculine. You should always say 'o isolamento' or 'um isolamento'. This is because words ending in '-mento' in Portuguese are almost always masculine.

Yes, absolutely! In fact, it is the only correct word to use. You can specify 'isolamento térmico' for heat or 'isolamento acústico' for sound.

'Isolamento' is the objective fact of being separated from others. 'Solidão' is the subjective feeling of being lonely. You can be in 'isolamento' and not feel 'solidão'.

The 's' is between two vowels ('i' and 'o'), so it is pronounced like a English 'z', as in 'zebra'.

Not really. While some technical people might use it because of English influence, it is considered an anglicism. 'Isolamento' is the correct and natural word.

It is a medical term for preventative isolation, usually used when someone has been exposed to a disease but isn't necessarily sick yet.

It is a neutral to formal word. In casual conversation, people might just say 'estar sozinho' or 'estar isolado', but 'isolamento' is very common in news and technical talk.

Yes, 'isolamentos'. For example, 'Os diferentes isolamentos das paredes' (The different types of insulation of the walls).

It is a scientific term meaning 'isolation of variables', where you separate one factor to study its effect independently.

It is 'isolamento social'. Remember that the adjective 'social' comes after the noun.

Ponte a prueba 180 preguntas

writing

Write a simple sentence using 'isolamento'.

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

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
writing

Translate: 'I am in isolation'.

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

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
writing

Translate: 'The house has good insulation'.

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

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
writing

Write a sentence about 'isolamento acústico'.

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writing

Explain the difference between 'isolamento' and 'solidão' in Portuguese.

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writing

Write a sentence about 'isolamento social'.

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writing

Write a sentence about 'isolamento diplomático'.

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writing

Describe 'isolamento térmico' and its benefits.

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writing

Write a short paragraph about 'isolamento existencial'.

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writing

Discuss the 'isolamento' of rural areas in Portugal.

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writing

Translate: 'The doctor wants isolation'.

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writing

Translate: 'We need thermal insulation'.

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writing

Write a sentence using 'isolamento geográfico'.

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writing

Write a sentence using 'isolamento profilático'.

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writing

Write a sentence using 'isolamento de variáveis'.

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writing

Write: 'The boy is in isolation'.

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writing

Write: 'I like the isolation of the forest'.

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writing

Write: 'Isolation can be good for artists'.

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writing

Write: 'The government avoids international isolation'.

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writing

Write: 'Sensory isolation changes the mind'.

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¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
speaking

Say: 'O isolamento'.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say: 'Estou em isolamento'.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
speaking

Say: 'Isolamento térmico'.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
speaking

Say: 'Isolamento acústico'.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
speaking

Say: 'Isolamento social'.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
speaking

Say: 'Isolamento geográfico'.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
speaking

Say: 'Isolamento profilático'.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
speaking

Say: 'Isolamento diplomático'.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
speaking

Say: 'Isolamento existencial'.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
speaking

Say: 'Isolamento de variáveis'.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say: 'O isolamento é bom'.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
speaking

Say: 'Bom isolamento'.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
speaking

Say: 'Viver em isolamento'.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
speaking

Say: 'Manter o isolamento'.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say: 'Isolamento ontológico'.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
speaking

Say: 'Um isolamento'.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
speaking

Say: 'Isolamento de som'.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
speaking

Say: 'Romper o isolamento'.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
speaking

Say: 'Isolamento forçado'.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say: 'Isolamento sensorial'.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
listening

Listen and identify the word: 'Isolamento'.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
listening

Listen and identify: 'Isolamento térmico'.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
listening

Listen and identify: 'Isolamento social'.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
listening

Listen and identify: 'Isolamento profilático'.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
listening

Listen and identify: 'Isolamento existencial'.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
listening

Listen and identify: 'Em isolamento'.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
listening

Listen and identify: 'Isolamento acústico'.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
listening

Listen and identify: 'Isolamento geográfico'.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
listening

Listen and identify: 'Isolamento diplomático'.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
listening

Listen and identify: 'Isolamento de variáveis'.

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¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
listening

Listen: 'O médico quer isolamento.' (Transcript)

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listening

Listen: 'A casa tem isolamento.' (Transcript)

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¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
listening

Listen: 'O isolamento acabou.' (Transcript)

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¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
listening

Listen: 'Precisamos de isolamento.' (Transcript)

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¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
listening

Listen: 'Houve um isolamento.' (Transcript)

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/ 180 correct

Perfect score!

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