German word

isolieren

Pronunciation

IPA/izoˈliːʁən/

Meaning

  • verbisolate

Example

Die Ärztin isoliert den Patienten.

The doctor isolates the patient.

Illustration for isolieren (isolate)

More examples

Nach dem Unfall isolierten Techniker den betroffenen Bereich schnell.

After the accident, technicians quickly isolated the affected area.

Core concept

A person, object, or signal stands alone behind a boundary, cut off from surrounding contact or flow.

Common phrases

  • isolieren einen Raum

    isolate a room

  • jemanden isolieren

    isolate someone

  • thermisch isolieren

    thermally insulate

Similar words

trennen: Cut a connection between linked people, objects, or systems.
ausschließen: Bar a person or thing from entering a group, place, or shared activity.
abschotten: Shield a person, place, or system from outside effects with barriers.
abkapseln: Seal a person, thing, or space inside so that outside contact is prevented.

Definition in German

jemanden oder etwas so behandeln, dass keine Verbindung, kein Kontakt oder keine Leitung mehr besteht.

Word origin

German isolieren is a learned borrowing from Latin insula, meaning 'island', probably through French isoler, and it came to mean making something separate.

Usage tips

  • Isolieren takes an accusative object, while sich isolieren describes withdrawing or cutting oneself off.

Other meanings

  • secludeverb
  • insulateverb

Opposites

Related words

  • Isoliermaterialinsulating materialnoun
  • Isolierungisolationnoun

Word lists with this word