絶縁(ぜつえん)

ぜつえん
noun, suru verb
breaking off relations; estrangement; insulation
1. breaking off relations; cutting ties
completely ending a relationship, usually with family or close associates
親(おや)と絶縁(ぜつえん)した。
I cut ties with my parents.
絶縁状態(ぜつえんじょうたい)が何年(なんねん)も続(つづ)いている。
We've been estranged for years.
喧嘩(けんか)をして兄弟(きょうだい)と絶縁(ぜつえん)することになった。
We had a fight and I ended up cutting ties with my siblings.
2. insulation (electrical/thermal)
preventing the passage of electricity or heat
電線(でんせん)の絶縁(ぜつえん)が劣化(れっか)している。
The insulation on the electrical wire has deteriorated.
絶縁(ぜつえん)テープで配線(はいせん)を保護(ほご)する。
Protect the wiring with electrical tape.
この素材(そざい)は熱(ねつ)絶縁性(ぜつえんせい)が高(たか)い。
This material has high thermal insulation.

FORMATION:
絶(ぜつ) (sever, cut off) + 縁(えん) (connection, relationship) → cut connection

VERB FORM:
絶縁(ぜつえん)する (to cut ties, to insulate)

RELATED COMPOUNDS:

  • 絶縁体(ぜつえんたい) (insulator)
  • 絶縁(ぜつえん)テープ (electrical tape)
  • 絶縁状態(ぜつえんじょうたい) (state of estrangement)

RELATED WORDS:

  • 疎遠(そえん) (estranged - less severe)
  • 縁(えん)を切(き)る (to cut ties)
  • 断絶(だんぜつ) (severance, rupture)

DISTINCTION:
疎遠(そえん) implies drifting apart gradually, while 絶縁(ぜつえん) implies a deliberate, complete severing of the relationship.

general
Added 2026.1.26 13:46 · Revised 2026.2.19 21:32
08000/08374_zetsuen