Dictionary🇨🇳 Chinese → 🇺🇸 English
Chinese to English Dictionary
心不在焉
Idiomxīn bù zài yān
Description
心不在焉的意思是一个人在做事，可是他的心思却在别的地方，没有专心。
The meaning of 心不在焉 is when a person is doing something but their mind is elsewhere, not focused.
我们常用它来说一个人上课或者听别人说话的时候不认真。
We often use 心不在焉 to describe someone who is not paying attention in class or when listening to others.
Meanings
心不在焉xīn bù zài yān
absent-minded; distracted; not paying attention
他上课时心不在焉，老师问他什么都不知道。
He was absent-minded in class and didn't know anything when the teacher asked him.
Related words
Notes
- Etymology
literally "the heart (心) is not (不在) here (焉)", meaning one's mind is elsewhere.
- Nuance
describes temporary distraction while doing something, not a permanent trait.
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