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aislar

ah-ees-LARajˈslaɾ

to isolate

Also: to quarantine, to set apart
VerbB1regular with accent changes ar
A single blue bird sitting alone on a small wooden fence post, separated from a group of birds in the distance.
gerundaislando
past Participleaislado
infinitiveaislar

📝 In Action

Tuvieron que aislar al paciente para evitar contagios.

B1

They had to isolate the patient to prevent infections.

Es difícil aislar una sola variable en este experimento.

B2

It is difficult to isolate a single variable in this experiment.

A veces me gusta aislarme del ruido de la ciudad.

A2

Sometimes I like to isolate myself from the noise of the city.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • aislar un problema – to isolate a problem
  • aislar del mundo – to isolate from the world

to insulate, to soundproof

VerbB2regular with accent changes ar
A thick, fluffy pink jacket wrapped tightly around a glass of water to keep it protected.
gerundaislando
past Participleaislado
infinitiveaislar

📝 In Action

Necesitamos aislar las ventanas para el invierno.

B1

We need to insulate the windows for the winter.

Este material sirve para aislar el ruido exterior.

B2

This material is used to soundproof external noise.

Aísla bien los cables para evitar un cortocircuito.

C1

Insulate the cables well to avoid a short circuit.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • insonorizar (to soundproof)
  • recubrir (to coat/cover)

Common Collocations

  • aislar térmicamente – to insulate for heat/cold
  • aislar acústicamente – to soundproof

Subjunctive

Imperfect Subjunctive

yoaislara
túaislaras
él/ella/ustedaislara
nosotrosaisláramos
vosotrosaislarais
ellos/ellas/ustedesaislaran

Present Subjunctive

yoaísle
túaísles
él/ella/ustedaísle
nosotrosaislemos
vosotrosaisléis
ellos/ellas/ustedesaíslen

Indicative

Preterite

yoaislé
túaislaste
él/ella/ustedaisló
nosotrosaislamos
vosotrosaislasteis
ellos/ellas/ustedesaislaron

Imperfect

yoaislaba
túaislabas
él/ella/ustedaislaba
nosotrosaislábamos
vosotrosaislabais
ellos/ellas/ustedesaislaban

Present

yoaíslo
túaíslas
él/ella/ustedaísla
nosotrosaislamos
vosotrosaisláis
ellos/ellas/ustedesaíslan
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "aislar" in Spanish:

to insulate→to isolate→to quarantine→to soundproof→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: aislar

Question 1 of 3

Which form of 'aislar' is correct for 'I isolate'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
aislamiento(isolation/insulation) — Noun
aislante(insulating/insulator) — Adjective / Noun
aislado(isolated) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin word 'insulare,' which means 'to make into an island.' It comes from 'insula,' the Latin word for island.

First recorded: 17th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: isolateFrench: isoler

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does 'aislar' always mean being alone?

Not necessarily. While it can mean social isolation, it is also the technical term for soundproofing a room or insulating electrical wires.

How do I remember when to use the accent mark?

The accent appears on the 'i' in all 'boot' forms (yo, tú, él/ella, ellos) in the present tense because those are the forms where the stress naturally falls on that syllable.

What is the difference between 'separar' and 'aislar'?

'Separar' is general (like separating laundry). 'Aislar' is more intense; it implies complete disconnection or creating a barrier.