detached
Definitions
Separated; not joined to anything else
分离的；独立的
Not emotionally involved; objective or aloof
超然的；冷静客观的；冷淡的
(of a house) standing alone, not sharing a wall with another
（房屋）独立式的，不与他屋共墙的
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedde- (off) + tach (fasten) + -ed = 'unfastened.' Literally not joined (a detached house). Figuratively, emotionally unhooked — a detached observer keeps a cool, uninvolved distance.
Root attach still carries 6 more wordsWhy It Means This
The emotional sense is a direct metaphor: if attachment is the bond that ties you to people and feelings, being detached means that bond is unfastened. A detached person isn't cold by nature — they have simply 'unhooked' from the emotional pull of a situation, observing it from the outside.
Common Collocations
- 1.detached house独立式房屋
- 2.detached attitude超然态度
- 3.remain detached保持超然
- 4.emotionally detached情感上超然
Example Sentences
- 1.
They bought a detached house with a large garden.
- 2.
She watched the argument with a detached calm.
- 3.
Doctors must stay emotionally detached during surgery.
Easily Confused
detached vs indifferent — Both describe not being emotionally caught up, but detached means stepping back to stay objective (a detached judge weighs facts coolly), while indifferent means simply not caring at all. A detached doctor still wants you to get well; an indifferent one doesn't.