xao nhãng

Definition

1. Verb:
   • To be distracted / to be inattentive: To have one's attention drawn away from what one should be focusing on, leading to neglect of a primary task or duty.
   • To neglect: To fail to give proper care or attention to something important, often due to being preoccupied with other matters.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Đừng để bị xao nhãng bởi những tin nhắn. (Don't get distracted by the messages.)
  • Cô ấy đã xao nhãng việc học hành vì mạng xã hội. (She neglected her studies because of social media.)
  • Sự ồn ào khiến tôi hoàn toàn xao nhãng. (The noise caused me to become completely distracted.)

Advanced Usage

• The word often describes a state where focus is fragmented or a duty is not performed diligently due to external temptations or internal lack of concentration.
• It can be used reflexively with "bị" (to be/get) to emphasize the passive experience of having one's attention diverted.

Variants and Related Words

• Sao nhãng: This is a variant spelling of "xao nhãng" with identical meaning and usage.
• Lơ đãng (adj): absent-minded, inattentive.
  • Anh ấy có vẻ lơ đãng trong cuộc họp. (He seemed absent-minded during the meeting.)

Synonyms

• Distract: to divert attention.
• Neglect: to fail to care for properly.
• Overlook: to fail to notice or consider.

Related Idioms

• While "xao nhãng" itself is not typically part of a fixed idiom, it is commonly used in phrases like:
  • Xao nhãng mục tiêu: to lose sight of a goal.

    • Đừng xao nhãng mục tiêu chính của bạn. (Don't lose sight of your main goal.)