fēnxīn: 分心 - To be Distracted, To Lose Focus

• Keywords: fenxin Chinese, 分心 meaning, distracted in Chinese, fen xin, lose focus Chinese, divert attention Chinese, 分心 pinyin, Chinese for concentration, Chinese verb for distracted
• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese word 分心 (fēnxīn), which means “to be distracted” or “to have one's attention divided.” Composed of the characters for “divide” (分) and “heart/mind” (心), it vividly paints a picture of a mind split between tasks. This page breaks down its meaning, cultural importance, and practical use in daily situations like studying, working, or driving, making it a must-know term for any beginner learner.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): fēnxīn
• Part of Speech: Verb (Separable Verb)
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: To be distracted; to divert or divide one's attention from a task.
• In a Nutshell: 分心 (fēnxīn) is the feeling you get when your phone buzzes while you're trying to read a book. Your mind, which should be focused on one thing, gets split. In Chinese, the character 心 (xīn) represents both the “heart” and the “mind”—the center of your thoughts and concentration. Therefore, to 分心 (fēnxīn) is literally to have a “divided mind.” It's a very common, slightly negative term that emphasizes a lack of focus.

• 分 (fēn): This character means “to divide,” “to separate,” or “to split.” You can think of it as a knife (刀) cutting something into parts.
• 心 (xīn): This character means “heart” or “mind.” It's a pictogram of a human heart and is considered the seat of thought, emotion, and attention in Chinese culture.

When combined, 分 (divide) + 心 (mind) = 分心 (fēnxīn), creating the clear and intuitive meaning of a “divided mind” or “split attention.”

In Chinese culture, particularly in contexts of education and work, immense value is placed on diligence, discipline, and concentration. The concept of 专心 (zhuānxīn), or “to focus intently,” is highly praised. 分心 (fēnxīn) is its direct opposite and is therefore viewed negatively. A student who is 分心 during class is not just daydreaming; they are failing to show the proper respect and diligence expected of them. This contrasts with the modern Western glorification of “multitasking.” While an American manager might praise an employee for juggling multiple projects, a more traditional Chinese perspective would see this as a potential for 分心, leading to lower quality work on all fronts. 分心 suggests a lack of self-control and commitment to the task at hand. This is why a parent's command of “别分心!” (Bié fēnxīn! - Don't get distracted!) carries a weight of cultural expectation.

分心 (fēnxīn) is an extremely common word used in everyday life. Its connotation is almost always negative, implying a lack of focus that can lead to errors or inefficiency.

• In Education and Work: This is the most common context. Teachers and parents frequently use it to admonish children. In the workplace, admitting you were 分心 is an explanation for making a mistake.
• In Relationships: A more serious usage of 分心 can imply emotional infidelity. If someone's attention (and affection) is divided between their partner and someone else, you can say they have 分心了.
• As a Separable Verb: This is a key grammar point. 分心 can be split. You can say something “分了我的心” (fēn le wǒ de xīn), meaning “it distracted me” or literally “it divided my mind.”

• Example 1:
  • 儿子，做作业的时候不要分心！
  • Pinyin: Érzi, zuò zuòyè de shíhòu bùyào fēnxīn!
  • English: Son, don't get distracted when you're doing your homework!
  • Analysis: A classic example of a parent or teacher giving a command. 不要 (bùyào) is used to mean “don't.”
• Example 2:
  • 我昨天考试没考好，因为我一直分心。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ zuótiān kǎoshì méi kǎo hǎo, yīnwèi wǒ yīzhí fēnxīn.
  • English: I didn't do well on yesterday's exam because I was constantly distracted.
  • Analysis: Here, 分心 is used as a state or condition to explain a negative outcome. 一直 (yīzhí) means “continuously” or “all along.”
• Example 3:
  • 开车的时候分心是非常危险的。
  • Pinyin: Kāichē de shíhòu fēnxīn shì fēicháng wēixiǎn de.
  • English: Being distracted while driving is extremely dangerous.
  • Analysis: This sentence uses 分心 as the subject of the sentence, treating the act of “being distracted” as a concept.
• Example 4:
  • 我觉得他对我们的感情分心了。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ juédé tā duì wǒmen de gǎnqíng fēnxīn le.
  • English: I feel that he has become unfaithful/his attention has strayed in our relationship.
  • Analysis: This shows the more serious, emotional meaning of 分心. The structure 对 (duì)… 分心 means to have one's attention divided regarding something.
• Example 5:
  • 外面的噪音分了我的心，我看不进书了。
  • Pinyin: Wàimiàn de zàoyīn fēn le wǒ de xīn, wǒ kàn bù jìn shū le.
  • English: The noise outside distracted me, I can't get into my book anymore.
  • Analysis: This is a perfect example of 分心 used as a separable verb. The object of the distraction (我的心 - my mind) is placed in the middle.
• Example 6:
  • 手机是让我们分心的主要原因。
  • Pinyin: Shǒujī shì ràng wǒmen fēnxīn de zhǔyào yuányīn.
  • English: Mobile phones are the main reason that we get distracted.
  • Analysis: The structure 让 (ràng) + someone + 分心 means “to make someone distracted.”
• Example 7:
  • 对不起，我刚才有点分心，你说了什么？
  • Pinyin: Duìbùqǐ, wǒ gāngcái yǒudiǎn fēnxīn, nǐ shuōle shénme?
  • English: Sorry, I was a bit distracted just now, what did you say?
  • Analysis: A common, polite way to admit you weren't paying attention in a conversation. 有点 (yǒudiǎn) softens the statement.
• Example 8:
  • 如果你不能停止分心，你将永远无法完成这个项目。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ nǐ bùnéng tíngzhǐ fēnxīn, nǐ jiāng yǒngyuǎn wúfǎ wánchéng zhège xiàngmù.
  • English: If you can't stop getting distracted, you will never be able to finish this project.
  • Analysis: This sentence uses 分心 as a noun-like object of the verb 停止 (tíngzhǐ), “to stop.”
• Example 9:
  • 我在跟你说话，别玩手机分心！
  • Pinyin: Wǒ zài gēn nǐ shuōhuà, bié wán shǒujī fēnxīn!
  • English: I'm talking to you, don't be distracted by playing on your phone!
  • Analysis: Here, the source of the distraction (玩手机 - playing on the phone) is placed right before 分心.
• Example 10:
  • 这位作家从不让世俗的事务所分心。
  • Pinyin: Zhè wèi zuòjiā cóngbù ràng shìsú de shìwù suǒ fēnxīn.
  • English: This author never lets worldly affairs distract him.
  • Analysis: A more formal and literary usage. 所 (suǒ) is used in formal structures with passive verbs, though 让…分心 is more common in spoken language.

• Mistake 1: Not treating it as a separable verb.
  • Incorrect: `那个声音分心我。(Nàge shēngyīn fēnxīn wǒ.)`
  • Correct: `那个声音让我分心。(Nàge shēngyīn ràng wǒ fēnxīn.)`
  • Correct: `那个声音分了我的心。(Nàge shēngyīn fēnle wǒ de xīn.)`
  • Explanation: You cannot place the object (like “me”) directly after 分心. You must use a structure like 让 (ràng)… or split the verb.
• Nuance: 分心 (fēnxīn) vs. 走神 (zǒushén)
  • 分心 (fēnxīn): To be distracted by something specific. Your attention moves from Task A to Task B (e.g., a notification, a noise, another person). It's an active shift.
  • 走神 (zǒushén): To be absent-minded, to space out, to let one's mind wander. Your attention drifts away into nothingness or random thoughts. It's more passive.
  • Example: If you stop listening to a lecture because you're checking your phone, you are 分心. If you stop listening because you're staring out the window thinking about nothing in particular, you are 走神.

• 专心 (zhuānxīn) - (Antonym) To focus, to concentrate. The ideal state that 分心 disrupts.
• 走神 (zǒushén) - (Related) To be absent-minded, to space out. A similar but distinct type of distraction.
• 注意力 (zhùyìlì) - (Related Noun) Attention; concentration. When you 分心, your 注意力 is divided.
• 三心二意 (sānxīn'èryì) - (Idiom) “Three hearts, two minds.” A chengyu for being indecisive, fickle, and unable to focus on one thing. It's a more severe form of 分心.
• 分神 (fēnshén) - (Synonym) Almost identical to 分心. 神 (shén) here means “spirit” or “consciousness.” They are often used interchangeably.
• 一心一意 (yīxīn yíyì) - (Antonym Idiom) “One heart, one mind.” To do something wholeheartedly and with complete focus. The direct opposite of 三心二意.
• 打扰 (dǎrǎo) - (Related Verb) To disturb, to bother. An external action that causes someone to 分心.