心不在焉

xīnbú-zàiyān

idiom #10,289

Meanings

1 absent-minded
2 preoccupied
3 inattentive

Characters

there (classical particle)

Examples

HSK 1

你今天怎么心不在焉的？

Nǐ jīntiān zěnme xīnbú-zàiyān de?

Why are you so distracted today?

HSK 3

他上课总是心不在焉的。

Tā shàngkè zǒngshì xīnbú-zàiyān de.

He's always absent-minded in class.

Tips

grammar

焉 is a classical Chinese particle meaning 'there' or 'in it.' The idiom literally means 'the heart/mind is not there.'

Stroke Order

心 xīn

不 bù

在 zài

焉 yān