distrait
/dis.tʁɛ/
The English word "distracted" is translated into French as distrait.
The adjective distrait is used to describe someone whose attention has been diverted or who is preoccupied. It can also function as a noun to refer to a "scatterbrain" or a person who is habitually distracted.
Meaning: having one's attention diverted, preoccupied (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the adjective changes to agree with the subject: distrait is used for masculine singular subjects, distraite for feminine singular, distraits for masculine plural and distraites for feminine plural.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables and is pronounced /dis.tʁɛ/.
When do people say it?
In informal conversations, you might hear the expression Dans la lune to describe someone who is daydreaming or "in the clouds". To describe someone who is specifically absent-minded or lacks focus, the phrase Tête en l'air is used.
Did you know?
- While distrait means 'distracted', the verb distraire can also mean 'to entertain' or 'to amuse'. This makes the word for 'distraction' a synonym for 'entertainment' in certain contexts.
- In French, the phrase être dans la lune uses the 'moon' instead of 'clouds' to describe a distracted state. This connects to an ancient belief that the moon caused temporary insanity or mental wandering.
- The word distrait shares its ancestry with the English word 'distraught', both tracing back to the Latin verb 'distrahere'.
Examples in context
- Tom a l'air distrait.Tom seems distracted.This sentence shows how to describe someone who appears to be in a distracted state using distrait.Tatoeba #9484815 by Micsmithel, translation #2237693 by CK
- J'ai été un peu distrait.I've been a little distracted.This sentence illustrates the use of distrait to express having been somewhat distracted.Tatoeba #8218107 by Aiji, translation #2359028 by CK
- Je suis parfois distrait.I am sometimes distracted.This sentence demonstrates how to state that one is occasionally distrait.Tatoeba #8235113 by nimfeo, translation #13813010 by tieguy
- Je me sens déconcentré pendant les réunions du matin.I feel distracted during the morning meetings.
- Le professeur semblait distrait en cours.The teacher seemed distracted in class.
- Les étudiants ont été jugés inattentifs pendant la présentation.The students were judged inattentive during the presentation.
- Excuse-moi, je suis un peu dans la lune aujourd'hui.Sorry, I'm a bit distracted/daydreaming today.
- Mon ami est très tête en l'air, il oublie souvent les choses.My friend is very absent-minded, he often forgets things.
- Ce bruit me distrait lorsque j'essaie de me concentrer.This noise distracts me when I'm trying to concentrate.
- 29 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Manon are studying together in a library.
- LucasPourquoi es-tu si distrait aujourd'hui ?Why are you so distracted today?
- ManonJe pense à mon examen de demain.I am thinking about my exam tomorrow.
- LucasTu dois rester concentré, Lucas.You have to stay focused, Lucas.
- ManonTu as raison, je suis désolé.You are right, I am sorry.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “distracted” translations and entries distrait, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries distrait, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
