isolation
Isolation is the state of being alone or separated from everyone else.
Explanation at your level:
Isolation means being alone. If you are in a room by yourself, you are in isolation. It is like being on an island with no one else. Sometimes we need isolation to sleep or study quietly.
When someone is in isolation, they are kept away from other people. Doctors use this to stop sickness from spreading. Sometimes people feel isolation when they move to a new city and don't know anyone yet.
Isolation describes the state of being separated from others. It is often used in news reports about countries that have no trade with others, or in medical contexts where patients must stay in their rooms. It implies a lack of social contact or physical connection.
The term isolation carries a nuance of detachment. While 'loneliness' is an emotional feeling, 'isolation' is a more objective state of being separated. It is commonly used in academic and professional settings to describe systemic or physical barriers between groups.
In advanced English, isolation is frequently used to describe phenomena like 'diplomatic isolation' or 'geographic isolation.' It functions as a powerful noun to describe the absence of interaction. Writers often use it to create a sense of melancholy or to highlight the stark reality of a character who is cut off from society.
At this level, isolation is understood through its etymological roots—the 'island' concept. It represents a total severance of ties. Whether discussing the isolation of a specific variable in a scientific experiment or the existential isolation of the human condition, the word serves as a cornerstone for describing the lack of integration within a larger system.
30초 단어
- State of being alone
- Often used in medical/political contexts
- Uncountable noun
- Comes from 'island'
Hey there! Think of isolation as a bubble. When you are in isolation, you are essentially inside a bubble that separates you from the rest of the world.
It isn't always a bad thing! Sometimes we seek solitude to focus on work or rest. However, when it is forced upon us, it can feel quite lonely. Whether it is a person living in a remote cabin or a germ-fighting protocol in a hospital, the core idea remains the same: separation.
The word isolation has a fascinating journey. It comes from the Italian word isolato, which means 'detached' or 'made into an island.' This is derived from the Latin word insula, meaning 'island.'
Think about an island—it is a piece of land completely surrounded by water, cut off from the mainland. That is exactly what isolation feels like! The word entered English in the early 19th century, originally used in scientific contexts before becoming a common word for describing social or physical states.
You will hear isolation used in many ways. In journalism, we often talk about 'diplomatic isolation' when a country is ignored by its peers. In health, we use 'self-isolation' to keep germs at bay.
It is a fairly formal word. If you are just hanging out by yourself, you might say 'I'm alone,' but if you are describing a complex situation like a prison sentence or a medical quarantine, isolation is the perfect, precise term to use.
While there aren't many idioms containing the word itself, we often describe the state of isolation using phrases like:
- Cut off from the world: Completely isolated.
- A lone wolf: Someone who prefers isolation.
- In a vacuum: Existing in total isolation from other influences.
- Out of the loop: Socially isolated from information.
- Castaway: Someone forced into physical isolation.
Isolation is an uncountable noun. We don't usually say 'an isolation' or 'isolations.' We treat it as a general concept.
Pronunciation-wise, it is eye-suh-LAY-shun. The stress is on the third syllable. It rhymes with 'relation,' 'station,' and 'creation.' Practice saying it slowly: i-so-la-tion!
Fun Fact
It comes from the same root as 'insulate'!
Pronunciation Guide
Clear 'eye-suh-lay-shun' sound.
Similar to UK, very clear vowels.
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing the 's' as a 'z'
- Stressing the wrong syllable
- Dropping the 'tion' ending
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Moderate
Moderate
Moderate
Moderate
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
고급
Grammar to Know
Uncountable nouns
Isolation is key.
Examples by Level
I am in isolation.
I am alone.
Simple state of being.
The patient is in isolation.
He felt isolation in the big city.
Isolation is quiet.
She likes isolation sometimes.
The house is in total isolation.
They need isolation to work.
Isolation helps stop germs.
I don't like isolation.
The island's isolation makes it unique.
He suffered from social isolation.
The virus required strict isolation.
Diplomatic isolation hurt the country.
She chose isolation to write her book.
The prison cells were built for isolation.
We felt the isolation of the desert.
Isolation can lead to sadness.
The remote village exists in near-total isolation.
The policy led to the country's economic isolation.
She found a sense of peace in her voluntary isolation.
The research team worked in isolation for months.
Social isolation is a growing concern for the elderly.
The cabin provided the perfect isolation from city noise.
He was kept in isolation for his own safety.
The isolation of the region makes travel difficult.
The artist thrived in the isolation of his studio.
The country faced international isolation after the vote.
Psychological isolation can be more damaging than physical.
The experiment was conducted in complete isolation from external light.
His political isolation was inevitable after the scandal.
The isolation of the gene was a major breakthrough.
She felt a profound sense of isolation despite the crowd.
The isolation of the mountain range creates a unique climate.
The existential isolation of the protagonist is a central theme.
The laboratory ensures the total isolation of the sample.
Geographic isolation has led to the evolution of unique species.
The diplomatic isolation of the regime was a calculated move.
He lived in a state of self-imposed isolation for years.
The isolation of the village preserved its ancient traditions.
The study examines the long-term effects of social isolation.
The isolation of the component is vital for the machine's safety.
동의어
반의어
자주 쓰는 조합
Idioms & Expressions
"cut off from the world"
completely isolated
Living on the mountain, I felt cut off from the world.
neutral"a lone wolf"
someone who likes isolation
He is a bit of a lone wolf.
casual"in a vacuum"
isolated from outside influence
We cannot make decisions in a vacuum.
formal"out of the loop"
isolated from information
I've been on vacation, so I'm out of the loop.
casual"on an island"
feeling isolated
Sometimes I feel like I'm on an island at this job.
idiomatic"hermit"
a person who lives in isolation
He became a hermit after the incident.
neutralEasily Confused
Both mean being alone.
Solitude is positive.
I love the solitude.
Both relate to being alone.
Loneliness is an emotion.
I feel lonely.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + is in + isolation
He is in isolation.
Subject + suffer from + isolation
They suffer from isolation.
Subject + live in + isolation
She lives in isolation.
어휘 가족
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
관련
How to Use It
7
Formality Scale
자주 하는 실수
Isolation is an uncountable noun.
Do not use 'an' with uncountable nouns.
One is a state, the other is an emotion.
Use 'isolated' to describe things.
Remember the 't' sound.
Tips
Memory Palace Trick
Picture an island.
When Native Speakers Use It
In news and reports.
Cultural Insight
Used in health crises.
Grammar Shortcut
Never pluralize it.
Say It Right
Stress the third syllable.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't use 'an' before it.
Did You Know?
Related to 'insulate'.
Study Smart
Use it in a journal entry.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
I-SOLO-ation: I am solo (alone).
Visual Association
A person alone on a small island.
Word Web
챌린지
Use the word in a sentence today.
어원
Latin/Italian
Original meaning: Island-like
문화적 맥락
Can be a sensitive topic regarding mental health.
Often used in political and medical contexts.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Medical
- in quarantine
- keep in isolation
- spread of germs
Travel
- remote location
- cut off
- far away
Conversation Starters
"Do you enjoy being in isolation?"
"Why is social isolation a problem?"
"Have you ever felt isolation?"
Journal Prompts
Describe a time you were in isolation.
Is isolation good for creativity?
How do you cope with being alone?
자주 묻는 질문
8 질문No, it can be peaceful.
No, it is uncountable.
Not exactly; lonely is a feeling.
I-S-O-L-A-T-I-O-N.
No, the verb is 'isolate'.
Yes, it is often used in formal writing.
Isolated.
Latin 'insula' (island).
셀프 테스트
He is in ___.
Isolation fits the context of being alone.
What does isolation mean?
Isolation means being separated.
Isolation is a countable noun.
It is uncountable.
Word
뜻
They are synonyms.
He was in isolation.
점수: /5
Summary
Isolation is the state of being separated from others, whether by choice or necessity.
- State of being alone
- Often used in medical/political contexts
- Uncountable noun
- Comes from 'island'
Memory Palace Trick
Picture an island.
When Native Speakers Use It
In news and reports.
Cultural Insight
Used in health crises.
Grammar Shortcut
Never pluralize it.
예시
The doctor says the sick man must stay in isolation for one week.
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