Meaning
to distract
- to distract, sidetrack
- to divert, turn away (attention, gaze)
- to amuse, entertain
- to misappropriate, embezzle (funds)
In a sentence
Non mi distrarre mentre guido, per favore.
Don't distract me while I drive, please.
Hai distratto lo sguardo dalla strada?
Did you turn your gaze away from the road?
Il rumore mi distrae quando studio.
The noise distracts me when I study.
Word forms (1)
| Word | Word forms |
|---|---|
| distratto | past · participle |
Usage notes
- Usually transitive: distrarre qualcuno / qualcosa. For your own attention drifting, Italians often prefer distrarsi or avere la mente altrove.
- Don't confuse with divertire: divertire means entertain; distrarre often means make someone lose focus, though it can also mean amuse in formal contexts.
- Very common with da + noun/infinitive: distrarre qualcuno da qualcosa, distrarre l'attenzione da..., distract from.