Translation guide
How to express the idea of not paying attention in Japanese, covering inattention, ignoring, and being distracted.
Describing a state of not focusing on what is happening or what someone is saying.
A direct and neutral way to say 'not paying attention'. Suitable for most contexts.
彼は私の話に注意を払わなかった。
He didn't pay attention to what I was saying.
Deliberately not paying attention, often as a form of disregard.
The standard verb for 'ignore'. Can be used for people, rules, or things.
彼は私のメッセージを無視した。
He ignored my message.
Failing to perceive or be aware of something due to lack of attention.
Simply means 'not notice'. Often used when someone misses something because they weren't paying attention.
彼は信号の変化に気づかなかった。
He didn't notice the traffic light change.
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.
Means 'distracted' or 'one's attention is scattered'. Commonly used when someone is not focused.
気が散っていて、話を聞いていなかった。
I was distracted and wasn't listening to the conversation.
Describes being 'spaced out' or having one's mind elsewhere. Casual.
彼は上の空で、呼んでも気づかなかった。
He was spacing out and didn't notice even when called.
To let something go in one ear and out the other; to pay no heed to what is said.
彼女は私の忠告を聞き流した。
She paid no attention to my advice.
To not take someone seriously; to not engage with someone. Implies disregard.
彼は私のことを全く相手にしなかった。
He paid absolutely no attention to me.
To overlook or miss seeing something. Often used for details or errors.
重要な点を見落としていた。
I overlooked an important point.