Understanding "隔离" - Chinese Word Explanation

1. Basic Information

• Word: 隔离
• Pinyin: gé lí
• Literal Meaning: to separate and keep apart (隔 “to partition / stand between” + 离 “to leave / be distant from”)
• Primary Meaning: to isolate, quarantine, or segregate; to keep people, things, or groups apart so they do not mix or come into contact

2. In-depth Explanation

• Context and Usage: 隔离 is a formal, practical verb (and sometimes a noun-like term in set phrases) used when something is deliberately kept separate for safety, health, order, or policy. It is very common in medical and public-health contexts, such as isolating a patient or quarantining at home. It also appears in technical settings (storing incompatible materials apart) and in social or political language (segregation). Compared with everyday words like 分开 (“to separate”), 隔离 stresses a barrier, a rule, or a protective distance rather than a casual split. It can describe a temporary measure (quarantine during an outbreak) or a lasting arrangement (segregated facilities). Tone is neutral to serious; it is not slang and is widely used in news, notices, and official instructions.
• Character Breakdown:
• 隔 (gé): to separate, partition, or block; something standing between two sides (as in a wall, gap, or barrier).
• 离 (lí): to leave, depart, or be away from; distance or separation from a place or person.
• Together they reinforce the idea of being both blocked off and kept at a distance.

3. Example Sentences

• Chinese: 医生建议这名病人隔离治疗。
• Pinyin: Yīshēng jiànyì zhè míng bìngrén gélí zhìliáo.

• English: The doctor recommended that this patient be treated in isolation.

• Chinese: 疫情期间，很多人需要居家隔离。

• Pinyin: Yìqíng qījiān, hěn duō rén xūyào jūjiā gélí.

• English: During the epidemic, many people needed to quarantine at home.

• Chinese: 这两种化学物质必须隔离存放，以免发生危险。

• Pinyin: Zhè liǎng zhǒng huàxué wùzhì bìxū gélí cúnfàng, yǐmiǎn fāshēng wēixiǎn.
• English: These two chemicals must be stored separately to avoid danger.

Cultural Notes (if applicable)

In recent years, especially during the COVID-19 period, 隔离 became one of the most frequently heard words in Chinese public life. Phrases such as 居家隔离 (home quarantine) and 集中隔离 (centralized quarantine) appeared constantly in official notices, news reports, and everyday conversation. The word also has a longer social meaning: 种族隔离 refers to racial segregation (including historical systems such as apartheid). In both health and social uses, the core image is the same—a clear boundary that keeps groups or individuals from mixing.

Conclusion

隔离 (gé lí) means to isolate, quarantine, or keep apart behind a real or official barrier. Remember the two characters—隔 “partition” and 离 “be distant”—and you will recognize it in hospitals, public-health rules, storage warnings, and discussions of segregation.

Sources and Further Reading

• MDBG Chinese Dictionary: 隔离
• Wiktionary: 隔离
• HSK vocabulary reference dataset

Dictionary links are provided for independent reference. Example sentences and learning notes on this page are educational explanations rather than dictionary quotations.