心こころここにあらず

Meanings

expression

distracted; absent-minded; physically present but mentally elsewhere

Describes a state where one's body is present but the mind is wandering; often used when someone is not paying attention or is preoccupied.

授じゅ業ぎょう中ちゅう、彼かれは心こころここにあらずで、窓まどの外そとを見みていた。
During class, he was distracted and staring out the window.
会かい議ぎで心こころここにあらずの様よう子すだった。
He seemed absent-minded at the meeting.

Written forms

心こころここにあらず
Standard kanji-kana mixed spelling; the most common written form.
心こころここに在あらず
Alternative kanji spelling using 在; less common but still encountered.
心こころここに有あらず
rarely-used kanji form
Rare kanji form using 有; it is rarely used.
心焉こころここに在あらず
rarely-used kanji form
Rare kanji form using 焉; it is rarely used.

Kanji

心heart, mind, spirit
在exist, outskirts, suburbs
有possess, have, exist
焉how, why, then

Similar words

上うわの空そら
Both mean being distracted or not fully present. 心ここにあらず emphasizes a disconnect between body and mind, while 上の空 often implies a dreamy, inattentive state.
ぼんやり
ぼんやり is a more general term for being spaced out or vague, whereas 心ここにあらず specifically conveys that one's mind is elsewhere despite physical presence.

Etymology

A classical Japanese expression literally meaning 'the heart/mind is not here'. It originates from a phrase in Chinese literature and has been used in Japanese for centuries to describe mental absence.