# 心不在焉

xīn bù zài yān

Be mentally elsewhere

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** The heart is not here

**Register:** Descriptive · general

[Perspective](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/perspective)

## When to use it

Describe distracted or inattentive behavior.

It may reflect worry rather than disrespect.

## Understanding the expression

The body remains in one place while the heart, representing attention, is elsewhere. The expression describes someone who hears without absorbing, works without focus, or responds while preoccupied. A personal worry may explain the distraction. It does not necessarily mean laziness or deliberate rudeness. Useful context shows the mismatch between the present task and the person's wandering mind, especially when an error reveals that their attention was not engaged.

## Examples

他心不在焉地把盐当成糖。

### Traditional Chinese

他心不在焉地把鹽當成糖。

tā xīn bù zài yān dì bǎ yán dàng chéng táng 。

Distracted, he mistook salt for sugar.

她开会时心不在焉，惦记着孩子。

### Traditional Chinese

她開會時心不在焉，惦記著孩子。

tā kāi huì shí xīn bù zài yān ， diàn jì zhe hái zi 。

She was distracted at the meeting, worrying about her child.

别心不在焉地开车。

### Traditional Chinese

別心不在焉地開車。

bié xīn bù zài yān dì kāi chē 。

Do not drive while distracted.

我心不在焉，没听清站名。

### Traditional Chinese

我心不在焉，沒聽清站名。

wǒ xīn bù zài yān ， méi tīng qīng zhàn míng 。

I was distracted and missed the station name.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E5%BF%83%E4%B8%8D%E5%9C%A8%E7%84%89)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=444&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [心旷神怡 xīn kuàng shén yí Feel refreshed, relaxed, and delighted ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/xin-kuang-shen-yi)

- [心满意足 xīn mǎn yì zú Feel fully content with what one has or achieves ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/xin-man-yi-zu)

- [心猿意马 xīn yuán yì mǎ Be restless and unable to focus ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/xin-yuan-yi-ma)

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