quarantine
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quarantine
A temporary isolation of people, animals, or even goods in order to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
Nach dem Kontakt mit einer infizierten Person musste er für zwei Wochen in Quarantäne.
After contact with an infected person, he had to go into quarantine for two weeks.
The word 'Quarantäne' (quarantine) comes from the Italian 'quaranta giorni', which means 'forty days'. Historically, this was the length of time ships had to remain isolated in port when there was a risk of an epidemic.
Die ursprüngliche Quarantäne dauerte vierzig Tage.
The original quarantine lasted forty days.
You use 'in Quarantäne' with the accusative for movement or a beginning ('in Quarantäne gehen' — to go into quarantine) and with the dative for a state or location ('in Quarantäne sein' — to be in quarantine). Another common phrase is 'jemanden unter Quarantäne stellen' (to put someone under quarantine).
Die gesamte Familie muss jetzt in Quarantäne.
The entire family now has to go into quarantine.
Common verbs used with 'Quarantäne' (quarantine) are 'eine Quarantäne anordnen' (to order a quarantine), 'eine Quarantäne aufheben' (to lift a quarantine), or 'sich in Quarantäne begeben' (to go into quarantine).
Die Regierung hat eine landesweite Quarantäne angeordnet.
The government ordered a nationwide quarantine.
isolation / insulation
'die Isolation' and 'die Quarantäne' can both mean that someone is separated from others because of an infectious disease. 'Isolation' is the general word for the separation itself. 'Quarantäne' is more specific: it is usually limited in time and serves to prevent a possible or actual infection from spreading. Learners may confuse the words because both occur in healthcare contexts. If the focus is generally on an infectious person being separated, 'Isolation' fits. If an official or time-limited protective measure is meant, 'Quarantäne' is more natural.
Nach dem positiven Test bleibt Paul fünf Tage in Quarantäne.
After the positive test, Paul stays in quarantine for five days.
Die Ärztin ordnet Isolation an, damit sich niemand im Krankenhaus ansteckt.
The doctor orders isolation so that no one in the hospital gets infected.