isolation
/ˌaɪsəˈleɪʃn/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌaɪsəˈleɪʃn/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌī-sə-ˈlā-shən also ˌi-/ (ame, mw)
isolation — 名詞
- isolationsingular
- isolationsplural
1. a state in which a person is entirely by themselves, often causing sadness or di
孤獨；孤寂
獨自一人且感到不快樂的狀態
a state in which a person is entirely by themselves, often causing sadness or distress because they lack social contact or companionship
After moving to a new city, Lien felt a deep sense of isolation because she knew no one there.
搬到新城市後，Lien 因為不認識任何人而感到深深的孤獨。
collocation: sense of isolation
The isolation of living alone in a remote area caused Mateo to feel very lonely.
Mateo 獨自住在偏遠地區的那種孤獨感讓他非常難過。
noun phrase: the isolation of [gerund]
Older people sometimes experience social isolation after their friends move away.
老年人有時會因為朋友搬走而經歷社交孤立。
When her children grew up and left home, the house felt empty and the isolation was hard to bear.
孩子們長大離家後，屋子變得空蕩蕩的，那份孤獨感讓人難以承受。
New parents of a baby with a rare illness often face unexpected isolation from friends and family.
家有罕見疾病新生兒的父母，往往會面臨來自親友的意外孤立。
- loneliness
focuses on the emotional pain of being alone, not just the physical state
- seclusion
suggests a deliberate choice to withdraw from others, often for privacy
- solitude
positive, chosen state of being alone, associated with peace and reflection
- company
the presence of other people
- companionship
friendly social connection with others
用法筆記
Often paired with the adjective 'social' to describe a lack of community contact. The phrase 'sense of isolation' emphasises the subjective emotional experience.
常見錯誤
2. the practice of keeping a person who has a contagious illness away from others i
隔離
為防止傳染病擴散而將病患分開
the practice of keeping a person who has a contagious illness away from others in order to stop an infection from spreading
The patient was placed in isolation for ten days to prevent further spread of the virus.
那名患者被隔離了十天，以防止病毒進一步擴散。
passive: placed in isolation
Hospitals keep protective equipment ready outside the isolation rooms for doctors and nurses.
醫院會在隔離室外準備好防護裝備，供醫護人員使用。
collocation: isolation rooms
During the outbreak, health workers followed strict isolation rules to protect themselves.
疫情期間，醫護人員嚴格遵守隔離規定以保護自己。
The nurse checked on the patient in the isolation ward every four hours throughout the night.
護理師每四小時到隔離病房檢查患者的情況，徹夜不間斷。
A two-week isolation period is standard for people arriving from regions with active outbreaks.
從疫情活躍地區入境的人，標準隔離期為兩週。
- quarantine
specifically refers to restricting movement of people possibly exposed to disease, usually for a set time
- segregation
broader term for separating groups; less medical, more social or political
- exposure
being in contact with others (and potentially with infections)
用法筆記
Commonly found as a modifier in compound nouns: 'isolation ward', 'isolation room', 'isolation period'. The phrase 'in isolation' is the standard way to describe the state.
3. a form of punishment in which a prisoner is kept alone in a locked cell, separat
單獨監禁
將囚犯關在單獨牢房的懲罰方式
a form of punishment in which a prisoner is kept alone in a locked cell, separated from all other inmates
The prisoner was put in isolation after trying to start a fight in the prison yard.
那名囚犯因試圖在監獄操場上打架而被單獨隔離。
passive: put in isolation (prison context)
A long period of isolation in a small cell can cause serious harm to a prisoner's mental health.
長時間被關在小牢房裡隔離，可能對囚犯的心理健康造成嚴重損害。
noun phrase: period of isolation
The judge reviewed how many months the inmate had spent in isolation before making a decision.
法官在做出決定前，先審查了該囚犯已被單獨隔離多少個月。
Human rights groups argue that long-term isolation in prison amounts to cruel punishment.
人權組織認為，長期單獨監禁囚犯相當於殘忍的懲罰。
The warden decided to shorten the inmate's isolation because of his young age.
典獄長因該囚犯年紀尚輕，決定縮短其隔離時間。
- solitary confinement
the official legal term for this punishment
- seclusion
a general term; in prison contexts, 'seclusion' is sometimes used as a milder alternative to 'isolation'
用法筆記
Often called 'solitary confinement' in legal and prison contexts. 'Isolation' in this sense is a less formal alternative.
4. a condition in which one element, factor, or issue is considered apart from othe
分離；孤立
將某事物與其他事物分開來看待
a condition in which one element, factor, or issue is considered apart from others and not treated as connected to them
You cannot understand the problem if you study each factor in isolation from the others.
如果你將每個因素單獨孤立來研究，就無法理解整體問題。
phrase: in isolation from
The researchers examined the chemical's effects in isolation, without mixing it with anything else.
研究人員在孤立條件下檢測了這種化學物質的作用，沒有與任何東西混合。
adverbial: in isolation
Aylin tested each chemical in isolation before mixing them together in the experiment.
Aylin 在實驗中先單獨測試每種化學物質，然後才把它們混合在一起。
Ezra argued that no single cause exists in isolation — every event has many roots.
Ezra 認為沒有任何單一原因是孤立存在的——每個事件都有許多根源。
When you study a culture in isolation, you miss how it has been shaped by outside influences.
若孤立地研究一種文化，你就會忽略它如何受到外來影響的塑造。
- separateness
a more direct synonym; less common in formal writing
- detachment
suggests deliberate removal from context; slightly more formal
- integration
the combination of elements into a connected whole
- interdependence
a state in which things rely on each other
用法筆記
Most commonly used in the fixed phrase 'in isolation (from)'. The subject is usually an abstract concept or a process, not a person.
常見錯誤
5. a strength-training movement that targets only one specific muscle group at a ti
孤立訓練
只鍛鍊單一肌群的運動方式
a strength-training movement that targets only one specific muscle group at a time, rather than engaging multiple muscle groups together
Léa added isolation exercises to her gym routine to strengthen her shoulder muscles.
Léa 在健身計畫中加入了孤立訓練動作，以加強肩膀肌肉。
collocation: isolation exercises
Bicep curls are a classic isolation move that works only your arm muscles, unlike push-ups.
二頭肌彎舉是經典的孤立訓練動作，只鍛鍊手臂肌肉，不像伏地挺身。
A good training plan mixes isolation movements with compound exercises for the whole body.
良好的訓練計畫應結合孤立訓練動作與鍛鍊全身的複合式運動。
The personal trainer showed Christopher three isolation exercises for the back muscles.
健身教練教了 Christopher 三種針對背部肌肉的孤立訓練動作。
Leg extensions are an isolation exercise that targets only the front thigh muscles.
腿部伸舉機是一種孤立訓練動作，只鍛鍊大腿前側肌肉。
- single-joint exercise
the technical fitness term, emphasising the joint rather than the muscle
- targeted exercise
a broader term that can include both isolation and non-isolation movements
- compound exercise
a movement that works multiple muscle groups at once, such as a squat or bench press
用法筆記
In fitness contexts, 'isolation' can be used as a modifier ('isolation exercise', 'isolation movement'). The opposite is a 'compound exercise' (e.g., a squat or deadlift). Also called a 'single-joint exercise'.
6. a neutral condition in which a person, group, or thing exists physically or soci
隔絕；脫離
與他人或群體分開的狀態
a neutral condition in which a person, group, or thing exists physically or socially apart from others, without necessarily involving emotional distress
The small island's physical isolation allowed its unique wildlife to develop over centuries.
這座小島因地理位置上的隔絕，在數百年間發展出了獨特的野生動植物。
collocation: physical isolation
The country's political isolation from its neighbours made international trade very difficult.
該國與鄰國的政治隔絕使得國際貿易變得非常困難。
collocation: political isolation
Hyun studied the plant species in its natural isolation on the remote mountain slope.
Hyun 在那座偏遠山坡上研究了這種植物在天然隔絕狀態下的生長。
The village's geographic isolation meant that the nearest hospital was three hours away.
該村莊因地處偏遠，距離最近的醫院要開三個小時的車。
Sahil wrote about the cultural isolation of immigrant communities in large modern cities.
Sahil 撰寫有關移民社區在現代大城市中的文化隔絕現象。
- remoteness
focuses on physical distance from populated areas
- seclusion
suggests being hidden or removed from view, often by choice
- integration
the process of joining or mixing with others
- connection
a link or relationship with other people or things
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (LONELINESS): this sense is emotionally neutral and often describes physical or political separation. Use adjectives like 'geographic', 'political', or 'physical' to clarify.
常見錯誤
❌ 'The village's isolation made the people sad.' — if the speaker wants to describe sadness, use sense 1 (LONELINESS); this sense (APARTNESS) is neutral and could apply even if the villagers are happy.
7. in psychology, a mental process in which a person keeps distressing thoughts or
隔離作用
將創傷記憶與情感分開的心理防衛機制
in psychology, a mental process in which a person keeps distressing thoughts or memories separate from the emotions that would normally accompany them, as a way of protecting themselves
In therapy, Tariro came to understand that his emotional isolation was a way of protecting himself.
在治療過程中，Tariro 逐漸理解他的情感隔離作用是一種自我保護的方式。
collocation: emotional isolation (psychological)
The psychologist explained how isolation as a defense mechanism can block healing after trauma.
心理學家解釋說，將隔離作用作為防衛機制，可能會阻礙創傷後的康復。
noun phrase: isolation as a defense mechanism
Sivan's tendency toward emotional isolation made it hard for her to express sadness or anger.
Sivan 傾向於使用情感隔離作用，使得她很難表達悲傷或憤怒。
Children who experience loss sometimes develop isolation as a way to cope with painful feelings.
經歷失去的兒童有時會發展出隔離作用，作為應對痛苦感受的方式。
The patient's use of isolation meant he could describe a difficult event without feeling any emotion.
這名患者的隔離作用使得他能描述一件困難事件，卻不帶任何情緒。
- compartmentalization
a related but broader concept; the act of separating different parts of one's life or thoughts
- suppression
a conscious effort to push away unwanted thoughts, while isolation is unconscious
- integration
the healthy process of connecting thoughts with their related emotions
用法筆記
This is a technical term in Freudian and post-Freudian psychology. It differs from everyday 'isolation' in that it describes an unconscious mental process, not a physical or social condition.