distrazione
distraction
noun dee-strah-TSYOH-neh Rare
Origin: From Latin distractio ('a pulling apart'), from distrahere.
Also means
absent-mindedness
Usage Note
Distrazione covers two related senses: a distrazione can be something that distracts you (a distraction) or the state of being absent-minded (per distrazione = 'through absent-mindedness, by mistake'). The phrase errore per distrazione ('careless mistake') is very common in everyday Italian. Do not confuse with svago ('leisure, recreation'), which is a positive distraction.
Examples
"Ho perso il portafoglio per distrazione."
Natural Translation
I lost my wallet through absent-mindedness.
Related Words
Explore Italian by topic
ItalianNow
5 min read