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A2 adjective #3,000 most common 7 min read

isolado

Top 3,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips isolado in 30 Seconds

Explanation isolado in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should learn 'isolado' as a word to describe a place that is far away or a person who is alone. Think of it like 'far' or 'alone'. For example, 'A casa é isolada' (The house is isolated). It's a simple adjective to describe location. Focus on the fact that it ends in -o for masculine and -a for feminine. You might use it when talking about a quiet vacation spot or a house in the mountains.

At the A2 level, you start using 'isolado' in more specific contexts, like health or weather. You might hear 'chuvas isoladas' on the news, which means rain in only some places. You also learn to use it with the verb 'estar' to describe how someone feels or their current situation, like 'Ele está isolado no quarto' (He is isolated in his room). You should understand that it implies a separation from others.

At the B1 level, you can use 'isolado' to talk about social issues and more abstract concepts. You might describe a 'caso isolado' (isolated case) when talking about a problem that doesn't happen often. You start to see the difference between 'isolado' (physical separation) and 'solitário' (feeling lonely). You can also use it in the passive voice, like 'O problema foi isolado' (The problem was isolated/identified).

At the B2 level, you use 'isolado' in professional and technical contexts. You might discuss 'povos isolados' (isolated indigenous peoples) or 'políticas de isolamento' (isolation policies). You understand the nuance of 'estar politicamente isolado' (to be politically isolated). Your vocabulary expands to include related nouns like 'isolamento' and verbs like 'isolar'. You can use the word to describe complex situations in history or science.

At the C1 level, you recognize 'isolado' in literature and high-level journalism. You use it to describe subtle states of being or complex philosophical ideas. You might use it to describe a 'ponto isolado' in a mathematical or logical argument. You are comfortable with all its metaphorical uses, such as 'pensamento isolado' or 'estilo isolado'. You can explain the etymology and how it relates to the concept of an 'island' (ilha).

At the C2 level, you have a native-like grasp of 'isolado'. You can use it in highly formal academic writing or creative literature to evoke specific imagery. You understand its role in linguistics, statistics, and engineering (insulation). You can debate the social implications of 'isolamento social' and use the word with perfect precision in any register, from slang to legal text. You understand the historical evolution of the word in the Portuguese language.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

isolado in 30 Seconds

Isolado means separated or detached, used for locations, people, or events.
It comes from the Latin word for 'island', suggesting something standing alone.
It is commonly used in weather (scattered rain) and medicine (quarantine).
Grammatically, it must agree with the noun in gender (o/a) and number (s).

The Portuguese word isolado is a versatile adjective that primarily describes a state of being separated, detached, or removed from a larger group or context. Derived from the Latin insulatus (meaning 'made into an island'), it carries the core imagery of an island standing alone in the sea. In everyday Portuguese, this word transitions seamlessly between physical geography, social dynamics, medical necessity, and abstract statistics.

Physical Geography: When describing locations, 'isolado' refers to places that are remote or hard to reach. An 'aldeia isolada' is a village far from urban centers, often lacking modern infrastructure. This usage emphasizes distance and the lack of connection to a network.

Eles vivem em um sítio isolado no interior de Minas Gerais.

Social and Psychological State: Emotionally, 'isolado' describes someone who feels lonely or excluded. Unlike 'solitário' (which can be a choice), being 'isolado' often implies an external force or circumstance that has cut the person off from social interaction. It is frequently used in discussions about mental health and elderly care.

Medical and Technical Context: In medical settings, 'isolado' is the standard term for quarantine or protective separation. A 'paciente isolado' is one kept away from others to prevent the spread of infection. Technically, it can also refer to electrical insulation, though 'isolante' is more common for the material itself, 'isolado' describes the state of the wire.

O vírus foi isolado em laboratório para estudo.

Furthermore, in statistics or news reporting, we often hear the phrase 'caso isolado'. This is used to downplay an event, suggesting it is a one-time occurrence rather than part of a larger, systemic problem. For example, if a machine fails once in ten years, the company might call it an 'incidente isolado'. This nuance is crucial for understanding political and corporate communication in Lusophone countries.

A polícia afirmou que o assalto foi um fato isolado no bairro.

Using 'isolado' correctly requires attention to its role as an adjective and its derivation from the verb 'isolar'. It follows standard Portuguese adjective rules, usually appearing after the noun it describes. However, its meaning can shift slightly depending on the verb it accompanies: 'ser' vs. 'estar'.

Ser vs. Estar: Use 'ser isolado' for permanent characteristics (e.g., a remote mountain). Use 'estar isolado' for temporary states (e.g., a person in quarantine). This distinction is vital for accuracy.

Aquela região é isolada por montanhas. (Permanent)

O náufrago está isolado na ilha. (Temporary)

Gender and Number Agreement: Always match the noun. 'O prédio isolado' (masc. sing.), 'A casa isolada' (fem. sing.), 'Os casos isolados' (masc. plur.), 'As áreas isoladas' (fem. plur.).

Previsão de chuvas isoladas para a tarde de hoje.

When used as a past participle in passive voice constructions, 'isolado' functions as part of a verb phrase. For example: 'O problema foi isolado pela equipe técnica' (The problem was isolated by the technical team). Here, it indicates an action that has been completed. This is common in scientific papers and investigative journalism.

O vilarejo ficou isolado após a queda da ponte.

The word 'isolado' is ubiquitous in Portuguese media, daily conversation, and professional environments. Understanding where it pops up will help you grasp its cultural weight. In Brazil and Portugal, news broadcasts are a primary source for this vocabulary.

The News and Politics: Journalists use 'isolado' to describe political figures who have lost support. A president might be 'politicamente isolado' if their allies abandon them. It's also used in crime reporting to describe 'casos isolados' as mentioned before.

O ministro sente-se isolado dentro do próprio governo.

Sociology and Anthropology: Brazil is home to many indigenous groups. You will often hear the term 'povos isolados' or 'índios isolados' referring to uncontacted tribes in the Amazon. This is a heavy, significant term in Brazilian social discourse.

A Funai monitora diversos grupos de indígenas isolados.

In sports, particularly football (soccer), a player might be described as 'isolado no ataque' if their teammates are not moving forward to help them. This implies they are surrounded by defenders with no one to pass to. Similarly, in architecture, a 'casa isolada' is a detached house, not sharing walls with neighbors, which is often a sign of a higher-end residential area.

O centroavante ficou isolado e não recebeu nenhuma bola.

While 'isolado' is a direct cognate of 'isolated', English speakers often make subtle errors in nuance or grammar when translating their thoughts into Portuguese. Avoiding these will make your speech sound more natural and precise.

Overusing 'Isolado' for 'Lonely': While 'isolado' can mean lonely, it usually implies a lack of contact. If you want to express the emotional feeling of loneliness despite being around people, 'solitário' is often a better choice. 'Isolado' is more objective; 'solitário' is more subjective.

Errado: Eu me sinto isolado na festa. (Unless no one is talking to you). Correto: Eu me sinto solitário na festa.

Confusing 'Isolado' with 'Insulado': In English, we 'insulate' a house for heat. In Portuguese, we use 'isolar' for both separation and thermal/acoustic insulation. Do not try to create a word like 'insulado'; use 'isolado' or the specific term 'termicamente isolado'.

O sótão está bem isolado contra o frio.

Another mistake is forgetting gender agreement when the subject is implied. If a woman says 'I am isolated', she must say 'Estou isolada'. If she says 'isolado', it sounds like she is referring to a man or a general concept, which creates a grammatical clash in the listener's ear. Lastly, don't confuse 'isolado' with 'sozinho'. 'Sozinho' just means alone; 'isolado' means cut off.

To truly master 'isolado', you should know the words that surround it in the semantic field of 'separation'. Portuguese offers several synonyms that carry different 'weights' of isolation.

Isolado vs. Remoto: 'Remoto' is specifically about distance in space or time. A place can be 'remoto' but well-connected by internet. 'Isolado' implies a lack of those connections. You'd say a 'galáxia remota' but an 'ilha isolada'.

Isolado vs. Apartado: 'Apartado' is more formal and often used in legal or literary contexts. It means set aside or separated from a main group. It is less common in daily speech than 'isolado'.

A casa fica num ponto apartado da vila.

Isolado vs. Solitário: 'Solitário' describes the state of being alone or the personality of someone who prefers to be alone. 'Isolado' is usually an imposed state. A 'lobo solitário' (lone wolf) is a common idiom; 'lobo isolado' would sound like the wolf is in a cage.

Other alternatives include 'retirado' (withdrawn/secluded, often used for quiet places for reflection) and 'deserto' (deserted, used for empty places). If you are talking about something that is unique or single, you might use 'único' or 'avulso' (separate/loose, like a loose page from a book). Choosing the right word depends on whether you want to emphasize distance, loneliness, uniqueness, or physical separation.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

Neutral

Informal

Child friendly

Slang

Fun Fact

The word 'insulate' in English and 'isolar' in Portuguese share the exact same origin, but Portuguese uses 'isolado' for both 'isolated' and 'insulated'.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /i.zo.ˈla.du/

US /i.zo.ˈla.du/

The stress is on the penultimate syllable 'la'.

Rhymes With

Cuidado Passado Gelado Amado Estado Ficado Lado Dado

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 's' as 's' (like 'snake') instead of 'z' (like 'zebra').
Stress on the first or last syllable.
Pronouncing the final 'o' as a strong 'oh' instead of a soft 'u'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize as a cognate of 'isolated'.

Writing 3/5

Requires remembering gender and number agreement.

Speaking 3/5

The 's' sounds like 'z', which can be tricky for beginners.

Listening 2/5

Clear pronunciation and common usage make it easy to hear.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

Ilha Sozinho Longe Lugar Pessoa

Learn Next

Isolamento Isolar Afastado Remoto Distante

Advanced

Segregação Insular Eremita Solipsismo Estanque

Grammar to Know

Adjective-Noun Agreement

A casa (fem) isolada (fem).

Ser vs Estar with Adjectives

A ilha é isolada (permanent) vs O homem está isolado (temporary).

Past Participle as Adjective

O vírus foi isolado (passive voice).

Preposition 'de' after 'isolado'

Isolado de todos.

Voiced 's' between vowels

I-so-la-do (s sounds like z).

Examples by Level

A casa é muito isolada.

The house is very isolated.

Isolada agrees with the feminine noun 'casa'.

O gato está isolado no jardim.

The cat is isolated in the garden.

Uses 'estar' for a temporary location.

Eu moro em um lugar isolado.

I live in an isolated place.

'Lugar' is masculine, so we use 'isolado'.

Ela não gosta de ficar isolada.

She doesn't like to be isolated.

Feminine form 'isolada'.

O vilarejo é pequeno e isolado.

The village is small and isolated.

Two adjectives describing 'vilarejo'.

Eles estão isolados hoje.

They are isolated today.

Plural masculine 'isolados'.

Um ponto isolado no mapa.

An isolated point on the map.

Simple adjective use.

A ilha é isolada.

The island is isolated.

The word 'ilha' comes from the same root as 'isolada'.

Vai ter chuva isolada hoje.

There will be scattered rain today.

'Chuva isolada' is a fixed weather term.

O paciente precisa ficar isolado.

The patient needs to stay isolated.

Medical context for quarantine.

O sítio fica isolado da cidade.

The farm is isolated from the city.

Uses 'de' to show separation from something.

Sinto-me um pouco isolado aqui.

I feel a bit isolated here.

Reflexive verb 'sentir-se'.

É um caso isolado, não se preocupe.

It's an isolated case, don't worry.

Common phrase for one-time events.

As crianças ficaram isoladas pela neve.

The children were isolated by the snow.

Passive state caused by nature.

O fio elétrico está bem isolado.

The electric wire is well insulated.

Technical use for insulation.

Não fique isolado, venha conversar!

Don't stay isolated, come talk!

Imperative 'fique'.

O pesquisador isolou a variável no teste.

The researcher isolated the variable in the test.

Verb form 'isolar' in the past.

Foi um incidente isolado na história da empresa.

It was an isolated incident in the company's history.

Abstract use for time/events.

Ela vive uma vida isolada por opção.

She lives an isolated life by choice.

'Por opção' adds context to the state.

O regime político está cada vez mais isolado.

The political regime is increasingly isolated.

Metaphorical use for lack of allies.

Precisamos de um sistema isolado para os dados.

We need an isolated system for the data.

IT/Technical context.

As comunidades isoladas precisam de apoio.

The isolated communities need support.

Social/Humanitarian context.

O som fica isolado por estas paredes grossas.

The sound is isolated by these thick walls.

Acoustic insulation.

Ele se manteve isolado durante a crise.

He kept himself isolated during the crisis.

Reflexive 'manter-se'.

A Funai protege os povos indígenas isolados.

Funai protects isolated indigenous peoples.

Specific Brazilian cultural term.

O vírus foi isolado em tempo recorde.

The virus was isolated in record time.

Scientific/Biological context.

Trata-se de um fato isolado que não reflete a realidade.

It is an isolated fact that doesn't reflect reality.

Formal argumentative structure.

O setor norte ficou isolado após o terremoto.

The northern sector became isolated after the earthquake.

Logistical/Disaster context.

A fiação deve ser isolada com fita isolante.

The wiring must be insulated with electrical tape.

Construction/Safety context.

A decisão foi tomada de forma isolada.

The decision was made in an isolated manner.

Adverbial phrase 'de forma isolada'.

O fenômeno não pode ser visto como algo isolado.

The phenomenon cannot be seen as something isolated.

Analytical context.

O presidente está isolado em seu palácio.

The president is isolated in his palace.

Political imagery.

A fenomenologia de Husserl trata o objeto isolado.

Husserl's phenomenology treats the isolated object.

Philosophical context.

O isolamento térmico é essencial para a eficiência.

Thermal insulation is essential for efficiency.

Uses the noun form 'isolamento'.

A obra de Kafka retrata o indivíduo isolado da sociedade.

Kafka's work portrays the individual isolated from society.

Literary analysis.

Existem pontos isolados na topologia do conjunto.

There are isolated points in the set's topology.

High-level mathematical context.

A variável isolada permitiu uma conclusão precisa.

The isolated variable allowed for a precise conclusion.

Scientific methodology.

Sua retórica o deixou isolado perante a assembleia.

His rhetoric left him isolated before the assembly.

Nuanced political/social consequence.

Não podemos analisar esse dado de maneira isolada.

We cannot analyze this data in an isolated way.

Formal data analysis.

O mosteiro oferece um refúgio isolado para meditação.

The monastery offers an isolated refuge for meditation.

Spiritual/Reflective context.

O solipsismo sugere que o 'eu' é o único ente isolado.

Solipsism suggests that the 'I' is the only isolated entity.

Metaphysical terminology.

A idiossincrasia do autor não é um traço isolado.

The author's idiosyncrasy is not an isolated trait.

Sophisticated vocabulary usage.

O estigma social mantém o grupo isolado da hegemonia.

Social stigma keeps the group isolated from the hegemony.

Sociopolitical theory.

A reclusão monástica é um ato de isolamento deliberado.

Monastic reclusion is an act of deliberate isolation.

High-level semantic precision.

O sistema termodinâmico isolado não troca matéria.

The isolated thermodynamic system does not exchange matter.

Physics definition.

A beleza daquelas ruínas reside em seu caráter isolado.

The beauty of those ruins lies in their isolated character.

Aesthetic description.

O depoimento foi considerado um elemento isolado nos autos.

The testimony was considered an isolated element in the court records.

Legal/Juridical context.

A partícula foi isolada em um acelerador de prótons.

The particle was isolated in a proton accelerator.

Quantum physics context.

Common Collocations

Caso isolado

Lugar isolado

Chuvas isoladas

Paciente isolado

Fio isolado

Fato isolado

Povo isolado

Ponto isolado

Grupo isolado

Área isolada

Common Phrases

Viver isolado

— To live away from society or others.

Ele decidiu viver isolado no campo.

Ficar isolado

— To become separated, often by accident or force.

Ficamos isolados por causa da enchente.

De forma isolada

— Doing something alone or considering something by itself.

Não analise o dado de forma isolada.

Manter-se isolado

— To keep oneself away from others.

Ele se manteve isolado durante a gripe.

Sentir-se isolado

— To feel lonely or cut off from a social group.

Ela se sente isolada na nova escola.

Totalmente isolado

— Completely separated with no connection at all.

O laboratório é totalmente isolado.

Politicamente isolado

— Lacking political allies or support.

O candidato está politicamente isolado.

Socialmente isolado

— Having little to no social interaction.

Idosos podem ficar socialmente isolados.

Isolado do mundo

— Completely out of touch with society.

Naquela ilha, estávamos isolados do mundo.

Isolado de todos

— Separated from everyone.

Ele vive isolado de todos em sua mansão.

Often Confused With

isolado vs Sozinho

Sozinho just means 'alone'. Isolado means 'cut off' or 'remote'.

isolado vs Solitário

Solitário refers to the feeling of loneliness or a personality trait. Isolado is a physical or situational state.

isolado vs Afastado

Afastado means 'far away' or 'removed', but doesn't always imply the total separation that 'isolado' does.

Idioms & Expressions

"Um lobo isolado"

— A variation of 'lone wolf', though 'solitário' is more common.

Ele age como um lobo isolado.

Informal

"Isolado na torre de marfim"

— Living in a way that avoids the practicalities of real life.

O intelectual vive isolado na torre de marfim.

Formal/Literary

"Cair em um ponto isolado"

— To be in a situation with no help or connection.

Com a falha do motor, caímos em um ponto isolado.

Neutral

"Voz isolada"

— The only person expressing a certain opinion.

Sua voz foi a única isolada contra o projeto.

Formal

"Isolado no vácuo"

— Something existing without any context or influence.

Nenhuma cultura existe isolada no vácuo.

Academic

"Ilha isolada no deserto"

— Something unique and different in a vast, empty space.

O oásis era uma ilha isolada no deserto.

Literary

"Isolado como um náufrago"

— Extremely alone and without resources.

Ele se sentia isolado como um náufrago na cidade grande.

Literary

"Isolado do rebanho"

— Separated from the main group (often used for sheep or people).

A ovelha ficou isolada do rebanho.

Neutral

"Isolado por muros"

— Physically separated by barriers.

O condomínio é isolado por muros altos.

Neutral

"Fato isolado da realidade"

— Something that doesn't match the truth of the situation.

Isso é um fato isolado da realidade.

Neutral

Easily Confused

isolado vs Isolante

Both relate to isolation.

Isolante is the material (like tape); isolado is the state of the object.

Use fita isolante no fio isolado.

isolado vs Deserto

Both imply no people.

Deserto means empty; isolado means hard to reach or cut off.

A rua está deserta, mas a ilha é isolada.

isolado vs Único

Both can mean 'one'.

Único means 'only one of its kind'; isolado means 'one that happened separately'.

Ele é o único filho, mas esse foi um erro isolado.

isolado vs Remoto

Both mean far.

Remoto is about distance; isolado is about connection.

Um controle remoto em um lugar isolado.

isolado vs Apartado

Both mean separate.

Apartado is very formal or refers to a PO Box (Apartado Postal).

O documento está em um anexo apartado.

Sentence Patterns

O/A [Noun] é isolado/a.

O sítio é isolado.

Eu estou [Adverb] isolado/a.

Eu estou muito isolada.

Isso é apenas um caso isolado.

Não se preocupe, isso é apenas um caso isolado.

[Noun] foi isolado/a por [Reason].

O bairro foi isolado pela polícia.

Não se pode analisar [Noun] de forma isolada.

Não se pode analisar o crime de forma isolada.

O [Noun] permanece isolado do resto do [Noun].

O grupo permanece isolado do resto do país.

A despeito de seu caráter isolado, o [Noun]...

A despeito de seu caráter isolado, o evento foi importante.

O [Noun] encontra-se em um estado de isolamento isolado.

O sistema encontra-se em um estado isolado.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Very common in news, weather, and science. Moderately common in daily speech.

Common Mistakes

Eu me sinto isolado (when you just mean lonely). → Eu me sinto solitário.
'Isolado' implies a physical or social barrier, while 'solitário' is the emotional feeling.
O fio está insulado. → O fio está isolado.
'Insulado' is not a common word in Portuguese; 'isolado' is used for insulation.
A casa é isolado. → A casa é isolada.
Adjectives must agree with the feminine noun 'casa'.
Ele vive em um lugar isolada. → Ele vive em um lugar isolado.
'Lugar' is masculine, so the adjective must be masculine.
Isso é um caso isolada. → Isso é um caso isolado.
'Caso' is masculine.

Tips

Agreement is Key

Always match 'isolado' to the noun. O lugar isolado, a casa isolada, os casos isolados, as áreas isoladas.

Weather Reports

If you hear 'isolada' on the news, grab an umbrella—it means rain is coming, but only in some spots.

Solitário vs Isolado

Use 'solitário' for a poetic 'lone wolf' vibe and 'isolado' for a 'trapped on an island' vibe.

The Z Sound

The 's' in 'isolado' is between two vowels (i and o), so it must sound like a 'z'. 'I-ZOLADO'.

Electrical Safety

In a hardware store, ask for 'fita isolante' to make a 'fio isolado'.

Indigenous Rights

In Brazil, 'povos isolados' is a respectful and official term for uncontacted tribes.

Outliers

In math or data, an outlier is often called a 'ponto isolado'.

Passive Voice

Use 'foi isolado' when talking about scientific discoveries, like 'O gene foi isolado'.

News Buzzwords

Listen for 'isolado' when politicians defend themselves against scandals by calling them 'casos isolados'.

Island Link

Associate 'isolado' with 'ilha' (island). It's the easiest way to remember the meaning.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of an 'Island' (Ilha). An 'isolado' place is like an 'ilha'—it's all alone in the water.

Visual Association

Imagine a single red house on top of a very tall, steep mountain with no roads leading to it.

Word Web

Ilha Sozinho Longe Quarentena Fio Chuva Remoto Segregação

Challenge

Try to use 'isolado' to describe three things: a place you've visited, a feeling you've had, and a news event you've heard about.

Word Origin

From the Latin 'insulatus', which comes from 'insula' (island). It literally means 'to turn into an island'.

Original meaning: To be detached or separated, like an island from the mainland.

Romance (Latin root).

Cultural Context

Be careful when using 'isolado' to describe people; it can imply they are being shunned or are suffering. Use 'solitário' if you want to be more poetic or 'sozinho' if it's just a matter of fact.

English speakers might use 'isolated' for geography but 'lonely' for feelings. In Portuguese, 'isolado' covers both but leans toward the objective state of separation.

The movie 'O Náufrago' (Cast Away) features an isolado character. Scientific reports on COVID-19 frequently used 'paciente isolado'. Geography books describing 'ilhas isoladas' like Easter Island.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Weather

Chuvas isoladas
Trovoadas isoladas
Frentes isoladas
Nuvens isoladas

Medicine

Paciente isolado
Vírus isolado
Quarto isolado
Isolamento social

Construction

Fio isolado
Parede isolada
Telhado isolado
Cabo isolado

Social

Sentir-se isolado
Viver isolado
Ficar isolado
Grupo isolado

Science

Variável isolada
Sistema isolado
Ponto isolado
Elemento isolado

Conversation Starters

"Você já morou em um lugar isolado?"

"Você prefere cidades grandes ou lugares mais isolados para viajar?"

"Como você se sente quando fica isolado por muito tempo?"

"Você acha que a internet nos deixa mais ou menos isolados?"

"Qual é a ilha mais isolada que você conhece?"

Journal Prompts

Descreva um momento em que você se sentiu isolado de todos.

Se você tivesse que viver em um lugar isolado, o que levaria com você?

Escreva sobre os prós e contras de viver em uma aldeia isolada.

Como a tecnologia ajuda pessoas que vivem em lugares isolados?

Reflita sobre a importância de isolar problemas para resolvê-los.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, but it's more about being cut off from others. If you feel lonely because you have no friends nearby, you are 'isolado'. If you feel lonely in your heart, 'solitário' is better.

'Sozinho' is the general word for 'alone'. 'Isolado' is more intense and implies a barrier or great distance. You can be 'sozinho' in a room but not 'isolado'.

You use the phrase 'chuvas isoladas'. It is the standard term used by all meteorologists in Brazil and Portugal.

Yes. A wire with a protective coating is a 'fio isolado'. The tape used to do this is 'fita isolante'.

It's better to use 'introvertido' or 'fechado'. 'Isolado' sounds like they are physically away from everyone else.

It is neutral. It can be used in a casual conversation or a scientific paper, depending on the context.

The feminine plural is 'isoladas'. For example: 'As vilas estão isoladas'.

Yes, both words come from the Latin root for island. To be 'isolado' is to be 'islanded'.

No, it is an adjective or past participle. The verb is 'isolar'. 'Eu isolo', 'Você isolou'.

Use it when something bad happens once and you want to say it's not a regular problem. 'Foi um erro isolado'.