Main Translations

English: Distract

Thai Primary Translation: ทำให้ไขว้เขว (tham hai khwai kheo) Phonetic: tham-hai khwai-kheo (pronounced with a rising tone on "khwai" and a falling tone on "kheo," similar to saying "thumb-high kwai-kee-oh")

Explanation: In Thai culture, "ทำให้ไขว้เขว" goes beyond simple distraction—it's often tied to emotional or situational disruptions that affect harmony. For instance, Thai people might use this term to describe how noisy street vendors in Bangkok can pull someone away from a task, evoking mild frustration or a need for mindfulness. Emotionally, it carries connotations of imbalance, contrasting with Thailand's cultural emphasis on "jai yen yen" (keeping a cool heart) and focus in activities like meditation or work. In daily life, it's commonly heard in contexts like parenting ("Don't let the TV distract the kids") or driving ("Traffic distracts me"), where maintaining attention is key to social respect and safety. This word highlights a subtle nuance: in Thai society, distractions are often seen as external forces that test one's ability to stay composed, rather than personal faults.

Secondary Translations: Depending on context, alternatives include "เบี่ยงเบน" (biang ben), which emphasizes diverting attention more forcefully, or "ทำให้วอกแวก" (tham hai wok waek), implying a fleeting or temporary loss of focus. These are used interchangeably but "เบี่ยงเบน" might feel more formal in written Thai.

Usage Overview

In Thailand, "distract" and its translations are frequently used in scenarios involving technology, social interactions, or environmental factors. For example, in urban hubs like Bangkok, people often complain about digital distractions in fast-paced work environments, where multitasking is common. In contrast, rural areas like Chiang Mai might apply the concept to natural interruptions, such as festivals or wildlife, reflecting a more laid-back lifestyle. Overall, the word underscores Thailand's balance between "sanuk" (fun) and productivity, with urban dwellers using it more literally (e.g., in meetings) and rural communities framing it through community-oriented contexts.

Example Sentences

Here are a few practical examples showcasing "distract" in various real-life situations. We've selected scenarios most relevant to travelers and learners, focusing on everyday talk, business, and travel phrases to keep it concise and applicable.

Everyday Conversation

English: The loud music from the street festival is distracting me from my work. Thai: เสียงดนตรีจากงานเทศกาลข้างถนนทำให้ฉันไขว้เขวจากงาน (siang don-tree jaak ngan tes-ga-lan khang thon tham hai chan khwai kheo jaak ngan) Brief Notes: This sentence captures a common Bangkok scenario where festivals add excitement but disrupt focus. In Thai conversations, it's often said with a light-hearted tone to avoid sounding rude, emphasizing the cultural value of patience over complaint.

Business Context

English: Please don't let your phone distract you during the meeting. Thai: กรุณาอย่าให้โทรศัพท์ทำให้คุณไขว้เขวระหว่างประชุม (ga-ruu-na ya hai tor-sat tham hai khun khwai kheo ben-jiang bpra-chum) Usage Context: In a Bangkok business meeting, this might be said by a manager to maintain efficiency, where distractions are viewed as disrespectful to the group's "kreng jai" (consideration for others). It's a polite way to refocus without causing embarrassment.

Practical Travel Phrase

English: The beautiful scenery is distracting me while driving—let's pull over for a photo. Thai: วิวสวยงามทำให้ฉันไขว้เขวขณะขับรถ—เรามาหยุดถ่ายรูปกันดีกว่า (wiew suay ngaam tham hai chan khwai kheo khana khap rot—rao ma yud thaay ruup gan dee gwaa) Travel Tip: In Thailand's scenic areas like the roads to Phuket, this phrase helps navigate safely while embracing the "land of smiles" vibe. Remember, Thai drivers prioritize courtesy, so use it to suggest a break rather than criticize, and always check for safe pull-over spots to avoid traffic fines.

Related Expressions

Synonyms/Related Terms:

• เบี่ยงเบนความสนใจ (biang ben khwam san tee) - Use this when you want to emphasize a deliberate shift in attention, like in marketing or storytelling; it's common in Thai media to describe plot twists.
• ทำให้วอกแวก (tham hai wok waek) - This is ideal for lighter, temporary distractions, such as in casual chats about social media, and often pops up in everyday Thai banter to keep things fun and relatable.

Common Collocations:

• Easily distract - ไขว้เขวได้ง่าย (khwai kheo dai ngaai) - In Thailand, this is often used in parenting discussions, like "Kids easily distract from homework during Songkran festivals," highlighting how holidays amplify distractions.
• Distract from the truth - ทำให้ไขว้เขวจากความจริง (tham hai khwai kheo jaak khwam jing) - You'll hear this in Thai news or debates, especially in urban areas, to discuss misinformation on social platforms like Facebook, which is hugely popular here.

Cultural Notes

Thai Cultural Perspective: In Thailand, the idea of distraction ties into the Buddhist-influenced value of mindfulness, where losing focus can disrupt "inner peace" or social harmony. Historically, this concept dates back to ancient texts like the Tipitaka, which warn against sensory distractions in meditation. Socially, it's linked to customs like "wai" (greeting with palms together), where maintaining attention shows respect. Interestingly, in modern Thai culture, distractions from technology are a double-edged sword—while they fuel the vibrant nightlife in places like Pattaya, they can also challenge the traditional emphasis on community and "mai pen rai" (no worries) attitudes. Practical Advice: For foreigners, use words like "ทำให้ไขว้เขว" sparingly in sensitive situations, such as conversations with elders, to avoid implying carelessness. Etiquette tip: Pair it with a smile or apology to align with Thai politeness. Common misuses include overusing it in romantic contexts, where it might come off as accusatory—opt for gentler phrases instead.

Practical Tips

Memory Aid: To remember "ทำให้ไขว้เขว," visualize a winding Thai road (like those in the northern hills) that "twists" your attention away—link it to "distract" by thinking of how Bangkok's chaotic streets can make you lose focus. This visual association ties into real Thai experiences, making it easier to recall during conversations. Dialect Variations: While "ทำให้ไขว้เขว" is standard Central Thai (used in Bangkok and most urban areas), in the Isan region (northeastern Thailand), you might hear a softer variation like "ไหว้แวว" (wai waew), which carries a similar meaning but with a more folksy, rural flavor. In southern dialects, pronunciation could shift slightly to emphasize the vowels, but the core word remains widely understood across the country.

This entry for "distract" in our English-Thai dictionary is tailored for practical use, blending language learning with cultural insights. If you're preparing for a trip to Thailand, practicing these phrases can help you connect more authentically. For more words, search for "English-Thai dictionary" on our site!