Translation guide
How to express the idea of not paying attention in Japanese, covering inattention, ignoring, and being distracted.
He didn't pay attention to what I was saying.
Means 'distracted' or 'one's attention is scattered'. Commonly used when someone is not focused.
I was distracted and wasn't listening to the conversation.
Describes being 'spaced out' or having one's mind elsewhere. Casual.
He was spacing out and didn't notice even when called.
Deliberately not paying attention, often as a form of disregard.
The standard verb for 'ignore'. Can be used for people, rules, or things.
He ignored my message.
To let something go in one ear and out the other; to pay no heed to what is said.
To not take someone seriously; to not engage with someone. Implies disregard.
Failing to perceive or be aware of something due to lack of attention.
無視する (mushi suru) implies a deliberate act of ignoring, while 気づかない (kizukanai) means simply not noticing something, often unintentionally. Use 無視する when someone actively disregards something, and 気づかない when they fail to perceive it.
The English phrase 'pay attention' is often translated as 注意を払う (chūi o harau), but in negative form, 注意を払わない can sound stiff. In casual speech, 気が散る (ki ga chiru) or 上の空 (uwa no sora) may be more natural for describing inattention.
She paid no attention to my advice.
He paid absolutely no attention to me.
I overlooked an important point.