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How to Say "isolated" in Spanish

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aislado

eye-SLAH-doh/ai̯sˈlaðo/

adjectiveB1/B2general
Use 'aislado' when referring to something physically cut off from surroundings or socially separated from others, or for a singular, infrequent event.
A single small island with one palm tree in the middle of a vast blue ocean.

Examples

El pueblo quedó aislado después de la gran nevada.

The town was isolated after the heavy snowfall.

Me siento un poco aislado en mi nuevo trabajo.

I feel a bit isolated at my new job.

Fue un incidente aislado, no te preocupes.

It was an isolated incident; don't worry.

Matching Gender

Remember that this word ends in '-o' because it describes a masculine person or thing. If you describe a woman or a feminine thing (like 'una casa'), change it to 'aislada'.

Using with 'Estar'

We usually use this word with the verb 'estar' (to be) because being isolated is often seen as a temporary state or condition.

Isolated vs. Only

Mistake: “Using 'solo' when you mean 'aislado'.”

Correction: Use 'solo' to mean someone is alone by choice or circumstance, but use 'aislado' when someone is physically cut off or separated from everything else.

remoto

reh-MOH-toh/reˈmoto/

adjectiveA2general
Use 'remoto' specifically to describe a place that is far away and difficult to reach.
A tiny wooden cabin is barely visible at the base of enormous, distant mountains, emphasizing physical remoteness.

Examples

Mi abuelo vive en un pueblo muy remoto en la montaña.

My grandfather lives in a very remote village in the mountains.

La señal de internet es débil porque estamos en una zona remota.

The internet signal is weak because we are in a distant area.

Adjective Agreement

As an adjective, 'remoto' must match the noun it describes in gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural): 'pueblo remoto' (m. sing.) but 'zonas remotas' (f. plural).

alejado

/ah-leh-HAH-doh//aleˈxaðo/

adjectiveB1general
Use 'alejado' when describing a feeling of emotional or social distance from people or groups.
A storybook illustration of two simplified figures sitting side-by-side on a wooden bench. One figure is enclosed within a faint, transparent bubble, emphasizing their emotional detachment from the other figure.

Examples

Se sentía alejado de su familia después de la discusión.

He felt detached from his family after the argument.

Sus ideas están muy alejadas de la realidad actual.

His ideas are very removed from the current reality.

Figurative Distance

Just like physical distance, emotional or conceptual distance also uses 'alejado de...'. You can be 'alejado del problema' (removed from the problem) or 'alejado de sus sentimientos' (detached from your feelings).

Confusing 'alejado' and 'lejos'

Mistake: “Using 'El pueblo es muy lejos.'”

Correction: Use 'El pueblo está muy alejado' or 'El pueblo está muy lejos.' 'Alejado' is an adjective that changes form; 'lejos' is an adverb that stays the same.

Physical vs. Social Isolation

Learners often confuse 'aislado' and 'alejado'. Remember that 'aislado' can mean physically cut off or socially separated, while 'alejado' specifically denotes emotional or social distance, a feeling of being apart from others.

Related Translations

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