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March 24, 2026
孤立gūlì(gu1li4)
The term 孤立 (gūlì) means to isolate or to be isolated, often conveying a sense of being separated from a group or community. It can refer to both physical isolation, such as being cut off from others, and social or emotional isolation, indicating a lack of connection with others. This word is commonly used in discussions about social dynamics, mental health, and geographical situations.
Frequency#9544DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of isolation (孤立) has significant implications, especially in collectivist society where community ties are strong. Being isolated can carry a stigma, as it contrasts with the cultural emphasis on harmony and group cohesion.
Memory Tip
Imagine a lone tree (孤) standing alone in a vast field (立), representing isolation. The sound 'gu' reminds you of 'goo' which can be associated with something sticky that separates, while 'li' sounds like 'lee,' a name that can evoke the image of someone standing alone. Visualize this tree as a symbol of loneliness to help remember the meaning.
Meanings of 孤立
gūlì(gu1li4)
1isolate
2isolated
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 孤立
孤立Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#9544Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 孤立
Podcast: 孤立
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AI Study Notes for 孤立
Quick Contrast
孤单 (gūdān) — use 孤立 when emphasizing separation from a group, while 孤单 focuses more on the feeling of loneliness.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a lone tree (孤) standing alone in a vast field (立), representing isolation. The sound 'gu' reminds you of 'goo' which can be associated with something sticky that separates, while 'li' sounds like 'lee,' a name that can evoke the image of someone standing alone. Visualize this tree as a symbol of loneliness to help remember the meaning.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 孤立 with similar words that imply separation but in different contexts, such as 隔离 (gélì), which refers specifically to quarantine or separation for health reasons. This term is more formal and is commonly used in academic or serious discussions about isolation.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 6 word, 孤立 can be linked to other level 6 vocabulary that deals with complex social themes, such as 社会 (shèhuì) for society or 关系 (guānxì) for relationships. Students should focus on using this word in context, especially in sentences discussing social issues or personal experiences of isolation.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of isolation (孤立) has significant implications, especially in collectivist society where community ties are strong. Being isolated can carry a stigma, as it contrasts with the cultural emphasis on harmony and group cohesion.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mix up 孤立 with 孤单 (gūdān), which means loneliness rather than isolation. For example, saying '我感到孤立' (Wǒ gǎndào gūlì) when feeling lonely is incorrect; instead, use '我感到孤单'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 孤立
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Grammar Patterns of 孤立
孤立 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
不足为奇的是，____主义者发现有成千上万的人自愿加入到他们的事业当中来。
Not surprisingly, isolationists found thousands of willing recruits to their cause.
Example Sentences for 孤立 (4)
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1
不足为奇的是，孤立主义者发现有成千上万的人自愿加入到他们的事业当中来。
bù zú wéi qí de shì， ， gū lì zhǔ yì zhě fā xiàn yǒu chéng qiān shàng wàn de rén zì yuàn jiā rù dào tā mén de shì yè dāng zhōng。
Not surprisingly, isolationists found thousands of willing recruits to their cause.
2
孤立地看，这些说法可能是危险的谬论。
gū lì dì kàn， ， zhè xiē shuō fǎ kě néng shì wēi xiǎn de miù。
Taken in isolation these statements can be dangerous fallacies.
It would be unwise to consider any of these as existing in isolation.
Cultural Notes for 孤立
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of isolation (孤立) has significant implications, especially in collectivist society where community ties are strong. Being isolated can carry a stigma, as it contrasts with the cultural emphasis on harmony and group cohesion.
Frequently Asked Questions about 孤立
Yes, 孤立 can refer to both physical isolation and emotional or social isolation, making it versatile in various discussions.
Yes, it is generally used in formal or serious contexts, such as academic discussions or psychological assessments.
Yes, synonyms include 隔离 (gélì) for quarantine and 孤单 (gūdān) for loneliness, but they have different connotations.
