隔离
gélí
The English verb "segregate" is translated into Chinese as 隔离 (gélí).
隔离 is a formal term used to express the concept of segregation, specifically referring to the separation or isolation of people, objects or groups. It is commonly used in medical contexts to refer to quarantining or isolating a patient from others.
Meaning: to separate (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 隔离 is composed of 隔, meaning to separate or create a gap and 离, meaning to leave or detach.
Which one should you use?
While 隔离 implies keeping things apart to prevent contact or influence, the term 分离 is a more general way to say to separate or detach two or more things that were once joined.
How do you pronounce it?
gélí
Did you know?
- The phrase 隔离 is often used in modern Chinese skincare and cosmetics to describe a 'makeup base' or 'barrier cream' 隔离霜 that separates the skin from pollutants and foundation.
- In Chinese culture, the concept of 'isolation' can be expressed through the phrase 与世隔绝, meaning to be completely cut off from the world, often used to describe the romanticized lifestyle of ancient mountain hermits.
- The character 隔 originally depicted a screen or a partition used in ancient homes to create private spaces.
Examples in context
- 政府决定隔离病患者，以遏制疾病的扩散。The government decided to segregate patients in order to contain the spread of the disease.
- 我们需要用墙把这两个办公区域隔开。We need to segregate these two office areas using a wall.
- 请把这些物品隔离起来。Qǐng bǎ zhèxiē wùpǐn gélí qǐlái.Please segregate these items.
- 生病的人需要隔离。Shēngbìng de rén xūyào gélí.Sick people need to be segregated.
Example conversation
Two colleagues are discussing office safety rules.
- 浩然 Haoran浩然，这些样本怎么放？Hào Rán, zhèxiē yàngběn zěnme fàng?Haoran, how should I place these samples?
- 晓雯 Xiaowen你应该把它们隔离在冷藏柜里。Nǐ yīnggāi bǎ tāmen gélí zài lěngcáng guì lǐ.You should segregate them in the refrigerated cabinet.
- 浩然 Haoran好的，晓雯，我现在就去。Hǎo de, Xiǎo Wén, wǒ xiànzài jiù qù.Okay, Xiaowen, I'll go do it now.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen谢谢，这样比较安全。Xièxiè, zhèyàng bǐjiào ānquán.Thanks, it's safer this way.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “segregate” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
