absent-minded; distracted; inattentive
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesidiom
absent-minded; with one's mind wandering; distracted
Used to describe someone who is physically present but mentally elsewhere. Often carries a mild negative connotation of negligence or lack of focus.
Tā他
shàng上
kè课
shí时
xīn心
bù不
zài在
yān焉
，
lǎo老
shì是
kàn看
zhe着
chuāng窗
wài外
。
He was absent-minded during class, always looking out the window.
Bié别
kàn看
tā他
zuò坐
zài在
nà那
lǐ里
，
qí其
shí实
xīn心
bù不
zài在
yān焉
，
zài在
xiǎng想
bié别
de的
shì事
。
Don't be fooled by him sitting there; actually his mind is elsewhere, thinking about other things.
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Xīn心
bù不
zài在
yān焉
shì是
xué学
xí习
hé和
gōng工
zuò作
de的
dà大
dí敌
。
Being absent-minded is the great enemy of study and work.