How to say "isolation" in Japanese

Choosing the right word
  • 孤立こりつJLPT N1approx.Common
    noun, suru verb, intransitive verbThe state of being alone or cut off from other people, countries, or groups; covers social isolation and being friendless, as when someone has no one to turn to.
    この地域ちいきはきわめて孤立こりつしている。↗
    This area is extremely isolated.
  • 隔離かくりCommon
    suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verb, no-adjectivePhysical separation of a person or group from others, especially keeping someone with an infectious disease in isolation or quarantine; the word you want for medical isolation.
    その伝染病でんせんびょう患者かんじゃは他たの患者かんじゃから隔離かくりされた。↗
    The infectious case was isolated from other patients.
  • 遮断しゃだんCommon
    noun, suru verb, transitive verbReally means cutting something off or blocking it, so it suits 'isolation' only when the idea is being cut off or blockaded rather than being alone.
    がけくずれで交通こうつうは遮断しゃだんされた。↗
    Traffic was blocked by a landslide.
  • 孤独こどくJLPT N1approx.Common
    na-adjective, no-adjectiveThe felt side of being alone: solitude and loneliness. Use it for emotional isolation rather than for a factual or physical state of separation.
    私はこの上うえなくさびしく、孤独こどくだ。↗
    I am as sad and lonely as can be.
  • 隔絶かくぜつCommon
    noun, suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbComplete separation or remoteness — a place or person cut off from the outside world, hard to reach; suits 'isolation' in the sense of remoteness or seclusion.

Use 孤立 for the state of being alone or cut off from others, 隔離 for physical or medical separation, 孤独 for feeling lonely, 隔絶 for remoteness, and 遮断 chiefly for being cut off or blocked.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

Japanese equivalents
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JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

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