distraer
verbCEFR B2
What does “distraer” mean in English?
to distract, to divert attention from
to distract, to divert attention from (distraer la atención / la concentración — interrupt focus)
Example sentences
Las notificaciones constantes del móvil distraen la atención y reducen la capacidad de concentración.
The constant notifications from the mobile phone distract attention and reduce the capacity for concentration.
El debate sobre las formas distrae la atención del problema de fondo que nadie quiere abordar.
The debate about form distracts attention from the underlying problem that nobody wants to address.
No te distraigas con los detalles secundarios; lo importante es el argumento central.
Don't get distracted by secondary details; what matters is the central argument.
How to use it
Distraer means 'to distract' or 'to divert attention'. Takes a direct object: distraer la atención, distraer a alguien. At B2 it appears in contexts of cognitive attention (technology, study) and political/rhetorical distraction (distraer la atención del problema real). The reflexive distraerse means 'to get distracted / lose focus'.
Common mistake
Distraer vs. desviar la atención: both can mean divert attention, but distraer is more about cognitive distraction; desviar implies a deliberate redirection. Personal a is required with human objects: distraer a alguien. Reflexive distraerse is 'become distracted'.