Translation guide
How to express being distracted, having one's attention diverted, or being unable to concentrate in Japanese.
スマホに気を取られました。
I got distracted by my phone.
To describe a state of being distracted, spacing out, or not focusing on what one should be doing.
Literally 'one's mind scatters'. The most common way to say 'I'm distracted' or 'something is distracting me'. Often used when external things break concentration.
周りがうるさくて気が散る。
It's noisy around me and I'm getting distracted.
気が散って勉強に集中できない。
I'm distracted and can't focus on studying.
Describes a state of being absent-minded, with one's thoughts elsewhere. Often used when someone is physically present but mentally not there.
彼は上の空で話を聞いていなかった。
He was distracted and wasn't listening to the conversation.
An onomatopoeic adverb meaning 'vacantly', 'absent-mindedly'. Can be used as a suru-verb (ぼんやりする) to mean 'to zone out'.
授業中、ぼんやりしていた。
I was spacing out during class.
A more formal compound meaning 'distracted' or 'lack of attention'. Often used in written or technical contexts, like describing a distracted driver.
注意散漫な運転は事故の原因になる。
Distracted driving causes accidents.
To say that one's attention is taken away by a particular thing or person.
Means 'to have one's attention taken by ~'. Use the particle に to mark the distracting thing.
スマホに気を取られて、電車を乗り過ごした。
I was distracted by my smartphone and missed my train stop.
彼女の美しさに気を取られた。
I was distracted by her beauty.
Literally 'one's mind deviates'. Similar to 気が散る but often implies a momentary diversion of attention.
話し声に気がそれた。
I got distracted by the talking.
To express that one's thoughts keep drifting away from the task at hand.
Simply means 'cannot concentrate'. A very direct and common way to say you're distracted.
今日はどうしても集中できない。
I just can't concentrate today.
Means 'to be lost in thought'. Implies distraction due to personal worries or daydreaming.
彼は考え事をしていて、私に気づかなかった。
He was distracted by his thoughts and didn't notice me.
Specifically for contexts like traffic safety or formal reports about inattention.
Literally 'looking aside driving'. Refers to distracted driving where the driver looks away from the road.
脇見運転は非常に危険です。
Distracted driving is extremely dangerous.
気が散る describes a general state of being distracted (often by environment), while 気を取られる specifies what is distracting you (marked by に). Use 気が散る when you just can't focus, and 気を取られる when something specific grabs your attention.
うるさくて気が散る。
It's noisy and I'm distracted.
スマホに気を取られた。
I was distracted by my smartphone.
Avoid directly translating 'distracted' as a single adjective. Japanese does not have a one-word adjective equivalent. Instead, use phrases like 気が散る or 集中できない depending on context.
Refers to doing something else while driving, like using a phone. Often used in legal contexts.
ながら運転は法律で禁止されている。
Distracted driving (doing something else while driving) is prohibited by law.