隔离 (gé lí) literally combines 隔 (gé), meaning 'to separate' or 'to partition', and 离 (lí), meaning 'to depart' or 'to distance'. Together, they convey the idea of physically or socially separating someone or something to prevent contact—especially to stop disease transmission. It is most commonly used in public health contexts, such as during outbreaks, but also applies to technical or environmental settings where containment is needed.

The word functions primarily as a verb, often followed by an object (e.g., 隔离病人 — 'quarantine patients') or used reflexively (e.g., 自我隔离 — 'self-isolate'). It can also appear as a noun meaning 'quarantine' or 'isolation' (e.g., 进入隔离 — 'enter quarantine'). Unlike casual synonyms like 分开 (fēn kāi), 隔离 implies formality, intentionality, and often official or medical authority.