die  Isolierung

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/izoˈliːʁʊŋ/

💡 What Exactly Does 'Isolierung' Mean?

Die Isolierung (feminine, plural: die Isolierungen) is a noun referring to various concepts of separating or partitioning. The main meanings are:

• Technical insulation: Preventing the exchange of energy (heat, electricity) or sound between systems or areas. Examples: thermal insulation of a house (Wärmedämmung), electrical insulation of cables (elektrische Isolierung), soundproofing a room (Schalldämmung). Here, Dämmung is often a synonym, especially for heat and sound.
• Social/Psychological isolation: The separation or state of being separated of a person or group from social contacts; loneliness or solitude (Vereinsamung).
• Medical isolation: Separating patients with infectious diseases to prevent the spread of illness (Quarantäne).
• Biological/Chemical isolation: The separation of substances or organisms.

⚠️ Although the plural Isolierungen exists, the word is often used in the singular as a collective term, especially in technical contexts.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of 'die Isolierung' in Detail

The noun die Isolierung is feminine. Like most feminine nouns ending in -ung, the article is die.

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

Example Sentences for Illustration

• Die Isolierung des Daches spart Heizkosten.
  (The insulation of the roof saves heating costs.)
• Eine gute elektrische Isolierung verhindert Kurzschlüsse.
  (Good electrical insulation prevents short circuits.)
• Soziale Isolierung kann zu psychischen Problemen führen.
  (Social isolation can lead to psychological problems.)
• Der Patient befindet sich wegen Ansteckungsgefahr in Isolierung.
  (The patient is in isolation due to risk of infection.)

🌐 How is 'Isolierung' Used?

The term Isolierung is used specifically depending on the context:

• In construction & crafts (Bauwesen & Handwerk): Here, Isolierung usually means thermal or sound insulation. People talk about Dachisolierung (roof insulation), Wandisolierung (wall insulation), Fassadenisolierung (facade insulation). Synonym: Dämmung.
• In electrical engineering (Elektrotechnik): Refers to materials that do not conduct electricity (insulators) and are used to sheath cables.
• In acoustics (Akustik): Relates to measures to reduce sound transmission (soundproofing, Schalldämmung).
• In the social/psychological field: Describes the lack of social contacts, often with negative connotations (loneliness, withdrawal, Abkapselung).
• In the medical field: Refers to the Isolierung of patients to prevent infection (quarantine).

Distinction from similar words:

• Dämmung: Very similar in the technical field (heat, sound), often used synonymously. However, Isolierung can also be electrical or social.
• Isolation: Often used synonymously, sometimes more strongly in the social/psychological context or as a more general term.
• Abkapselung: More in the social/psychological sense for withdrawing oneself.
• Trennung: General term for separating things or people.

🧠 Mnemonics for 'Isolierung'

Article Mnemonic (die): Many German nouns ending in -ung are feminine (die). Think of die Heizung (the heating), die Lösung (the solution), and also die Isolierung. The '-ung' ending often indicates a process or result and is usually feminine.

Meaning Mnemonic (Separation): The word 'Isolierung' comes from Latin 'insula', meaning 'island'. Imagine something being put on an island – separated and shielded from the rest. This fits thermal insulation (heat stays in/out), electrical insulation (current stays in the wire), and social isolation (alone like on an island).

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

Be careful with similar words:

• Isolator: The material that insulates (e.g., rubber, glass). Die Isolierung is the process or the result.
• Dämmstoff: The material used for thermal insulation (e.g., styrofoam).

😄 A Little Joke

Warum hat das Stromkabel Schluss gemacht?
Es fühlte sich in der Beziehung zu sehr unter Spannung und brauchte mehr Isolierung!

Translation:
Why did the electrical cable break up?
It felt too much tension (pun: voltage) in the relationship and needed more insulation (isolation)!

📜 Poem about Isolierung

Die Wand, sie braucht 'nen dicken Bauch,
aus Dämmstoff, weich und fest zugleich.
Die Isolierung hält die Wärme,
vertreibt des Winters kalte Härme.

Auch Drähte brauchen ihre Haut,
damit kein Strom danebenhaut.
Die Isolierung, bunt und schick,
schützt vor gefährlich Kribbel-Tick.

Doch Menschen brauchen Nähe, Bund,
zu viel Isolierung ist nicht gesund.

Rough Translation:
The wall, it needs a thick belly,
of insulation material, soft yet sturdy.
The insulation keeps the warmth,
banishes winter's cold harms.

Wires also need their skin,
so no electricity jumps out from within.
The insulation, colorful and neat,
protects from dangerous electric feat.

But people need closeness, connection,
too much isolation isn't good for affection.

🧩 Little Riddle

Ich halte warm, ich halte kalt,
bin an der Wand, im Dach, im Spalt.
Ich schütze Drähte vor Gefahr,
und manchmal trenn' ich, das ist wahr.

Im Haus spar' ich dir Energie,
doch bin ich schlecht für Sympathie,
wenn Menschen sich durch mich nur sehn,
und einsam ihre Wege gehn.

Was bin ich nur, mal Schutz, mal Qual?

Translation:
I keep things warm, I keep things cold,
On the wall, in the roof, in cracks I'm told.
I shield wires from danger's way,
And sometimes separate, it's true to say.

In the house, I save you energy,
But I'm bad for sympathy,
When people, through me, drift apart,
And lonely paths become their chart.

What am I, sometimes protection, sometimes pain?

Solution: Die Isolierung (Insulation / Isolation)

⚙️ Other Details

Word Composition & Origin:

The word Isolierung is the nominalization (forming a noun) of the verb isolieren (to isolate). This verb comes from French isoler, which in turn goes back to Italian isolare ('to separate', 'to make into an island'). The root lies in the Latin word insula, meaning 'island'. The suffix -ung turns the verb into a noun describing the process or the result.

Related Terms:

• Isolator: Material that does not conduct (heat, electricity).
• Isolierband: Insulating tape (electrical tape).
• Isolierglas: Insulated glass (double/triple glazing).
• Isolationismus: Isolationism (political stance).