eristyä

Eristyä is a Finnish intransitive verb that means to become isolated or to withdraw from social contact; to isolate oneself. It often refers to a voluntary or self-imposed withdrawal from others, but can also describe a situation in which a person, group, or place is set apart from surrounding interaction. The word is commonly used in social and psychological contexts, but it can also appear in political or international discussions about isolation.

Related noun forms include eristyminen (isolation or withdrawal, the state or process of becoming isolated) and eristäminen (the act of isolating something or someone, or the act of placing someone in isolation). The adjective form eristäytynyt describes someone who has become isolated, often through self-imposed withdrawal.

Usage notes and nuances:

- Social sense: eristyä can describe someone retreating from friends, family, or public life, sometimes due to burnout, stress, or personal choice. Example: Hän eristäytyi muista. (She withdrew from others.)

- Political or international sense: eristyä can describe a country or group pulling back from international cooperation, leading to a more isolated position.

- Medical context: related terms are used when isolation is imposed for health reasons. The act of placing someone in isolation is eristäminen or eristys; a patient may be asetettu eristykseen (the patient was placed in isolation).

In summary, eristyä covers becoming or being isolated, with related forms used for the processes and conditions surrounding isolation across social, political, and medical contexts.