孤立

• Reading: こりつ
• Romaji: koritsu
• Kanji breakdown: 孤 (ko) — alone, orphan; 立 (ritsu/ta) — stand
• Pronunciation: /ko.ɾi.tsɯ/

Meaning

Isolation; being cut off; standing alone without allies or support.

A する verb (孤立する) meaning to become isolated. Used both for physical isolation (a village cut off by a disaster) and social isolation (being friendless or excluded from a group). Common in news reporting and interpersonal contexts.

Examples

1. 意見が違いすぎてチームの中で孤立してしまった。 My opinions were too different and I ended up isolated within the team.
2. 大雪で山間部の村が孤立した。 Heavy snowfall cut off a village in the mountains.
3. 孤立しないように周囲との関係を大切にしよう。 Let's cherish our relationships with those around us so we don't end up isolated.

Usage Guide

Context: interpersonal relationships, disasters, politics

Tone: negative

Origin & History

Compound of 孤 (ko, alone/orphaned) + 立 (ritsu, to stand). Literally 'standing alone,' evoking the image of someone standing with no one beside them.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal