scattered mind

[ˈskætərd maɪnd]
noun phrasepl: scattered minds
mente dispersa
1. A state of mind characterized by lack of focus, concentration, or organization; tendency to be forgetful or distracted
His scattered mind made it difficult for him to complete the project on time.
Sua mente dispersa dificultou a conclusão do projeto no prazo.
2. The condition of being unable to maintain attention or coherent thoughts
She had a scattered mind during the exam and couldn't remember what she studied.
Ela tinha a mente dispersa durante a prova e não conseguia lembrar o que tinha estudado.
In Brazilian culture, having a 'mente dispersa' is often associated with creative or artistic personalities, though in professional contexts it may be viewed negatively. The English phrase is commonly used in psychology and education contexts in both American and Brazilian English, reflecting modern understanding of attention disorders and cognitive challenges.
NYC Slang
airhead (informal/derogatory), space cadet (informal)
Synonyms / Sinônimos
distracted mindunfocused minddisorganized mindabsent-mindedscatterbrained
Antonyms / Antônimos
focused mindconcentrated mindsharp mindattentive mind

Regional Variations

General Brazilian Portuguese
mente dispersa
Most common and widely understood translation
Rio de Janeiro
cabeça no ar
Colloquial expression meaning 'head in the clouds'
São Paulo
mente desorganizada
More formal, emphasizing lack of organization
Portugal
mente distraída
Portuguese preference for 'distraída' over 'dispersa'

Related Words

distractionforgetfulnessinattentiondisorganizationADHD

Related Idioms & Phrases

have one's head in the clouds
be all over the place
have a one-track mind
estar com a cabeça nas nuvens (Portuguese)
estar desligado (Portuguese)
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