não total atenção
full attention
직역: not total attention
Use it to politely admit you were distracted without sounding like you were being rude or ignoring someone.
15초 만에
- Used when you are distracted or multitasking during a conversation.
- Commonly paired with the verb 'dar' (to give).
- A polite way to admit you weren't 100% focused.
뜻
This phrase describes a state where someone isn't fully focused on you or the task at hand. It's that moment when someone is nodding but clearly thinking about their lunch.
주요 예문
3 / 6Apologizing to a friend while texting
Desculpe, eu não dei total atenção ao que você disse.
Sorry, I didn't give full attention to what you said.
In a professional video call
Pode repetir? Eu não estava dando total atenção agora.
Can you repeat? I wasn't giving full attention just now.
Explaining why a mistake happened
Eu cometi um erro porque não dei total atenção ao contrato.
I made a mistake because I didn't give full attention to the contract.
문화적 배경
In Lusophone cultures, social interaction is often multi-layered and lively. Admitting you aren't giving 'total atenção' is a common way to navigate the 'papo furado' (small talk) while multitasking in a busy café or family gathering.
The 'Dar' Rule
Always remember that in Portuguese you 'give' (dar) attention, you don't 'pay' (pagar) it. Saying 'pagar atenção' is a common English-speaker mistake!
The Polite Interruption
If you realize you've drifted off, saying `Não dei total atenção, pode repetir?` is considered very polite and shows you actually care about what they are saying.
15초 만에
- Used when you are distracted or multitasking during a conversation.
- Commonly paired with the verb 'dar' (to give).
- A polite way to admit you weren't 100% focused.
What It Means
Não dar total atenção means you are distracted or multitasking. It implies a lack of 100% focus. You might be listening, but your mind is elsewhere. It is the opposite of being 'all ears.'
How To Use It
You use it to apologize or describe a situation. Use it when your phone vibrates during a conversation. Use it when you are tired and zoning out. It usually follows the verb dar (to give). For example: Eu não dei total atenção (I didn't give full attention).
When To Use It
Use it during a work meeting if you missed a detail. Use it with your partner when you were scrolling Instagram. It is perfect for being honest about your distractions. It sounds polite because you are admitting a small fault. It works well in emails to explain a missed point.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it if you were completely ignoring someone. That would be ignorar or nem ligar. This phrase implies you were trying, but failed. Avoid it in high-stakes legal situations where 'total attention' is expected. Don't use it if you are actually angry at the person.
Cultural Background
Brazilians and Portuguese people value personal connection and 'olho no olho' (eye to eye). However, modern life is chaotic everywhere. Admitting you aren't focused is seen as humble. It shows you respect the other person's time enough to admit the lapse. It’s a very human, relatable admission of being busy.
Common Variations
You might hear não prestar atenção for 'not paying attention.' Another common one is estar distraído (to be distracted). Some people say estar com a cabeça em outro lugar. That means your head is somewhere else. Não dar total atenção is the most literal and clear version for A2 learners.
사용 참고사항
This phrase is highly versatile across all formality levels. The key is the verb `dar` (to give). In formal writing, use `não ter prestado total atenção` for a more polished feel.
The 'Dar' Rule
Always remember that in Portuguese you 'give' (dar) attention, you don't 'pay' (pagar) it. Saying 'pagar atenção' is a common English-speaker mistake!
The Polite Interruption
If you realize you've drifted off, saying `Não dei total atenção, pode repetir?` is considered very polite and shows you actually care about what they are saying.
Don't over-apologize
In casual settings, Brazilians might just say 'Oi?' or 'Como?' instead of the full phrase. Use the full phrase when you want to be more sincere.
예시
6Desculpe, eu não dei total atenção ao que você disse.
Sorry, I didn't give full attention to what you said.
A classic way to ask for a repeat of the information.
Pode repetir? Eu não estava dando total atenção agora.
Can you repeat? I wasn't giving full attention just now.
Honest but professional way to handle a distraction.
Eu cometi um erro porque não dei total atenção ao contrato.
I made a mistake because I didn't give full attention to the contract.
Taking responsibility for a lack of focus.
O gato pulou na mesa e eu não te dei total atenção!
The cat jumped on the table and I didn't give you full attention!
Using a chaotic environment as a valid excuse.
Tô no ônibus, não consigo dar total atenção agora.
I'm on the bus, I can't give full attention right now.
Setting expectations for a slow reply.
Sinto muito, ando muito cansado e não dou total atenção a nada.
I'm sorry, I've been very tired and I don't give full attention to anything.
A vulnerable admission of burnout.
셀프 테스트
Choose the correct verb to complete the phrase.
Eu não ___ total atenção ao filme ontem.
In Portuguese, we 'give' (dar) attention. 'Dei' is the past tense of 'dar'.
Complete the sentence to sound polite.
Desculpe, eu não estava ___ total atenção.
The continuous form 'dando' (giving) fits perfectly to describe an ongoing state of distraction.
🎉 점수: /2
시각 학습 자료
Formality of 'Não dar total atenção'
Talking to friends while gaming
Foi mal, não dei atenção.
Standard daily use
Não dei total atenção ao que ele falou.
Business emails or meetings
Peço desculpas por não ter dado total atenção.
When to admit lack of focus
At a noisy party
The music is too loud to hear.
During a boring lecture
Zoning out in the back row.
While driving
Focusing on the road instead of the passenger.
Checking emails
Reading a message while someone talks.
자주 묻는 질문
10 질문It means you weren't fully focused. It's often used with the verb dar, as in não dar total atenção.
Yes, it is neutral enough for work. Just add a polite desculpe (sorry) at the beginning.
Prestar atenção is more common for 'paying attention' in general. Não dar total atenção specifically highlights that your focus was divided.
You can say: Desculpe, eu não estava dando total atenção.
Not strictly, but adding total emphasizes that you heard *something*, just not *everything*.
Absolutely. It's common to text Mal aí, não dei total atenção (My bad, I wasn't fully paying attention).
The opposite is dar total atenção or prestar muita atenção.
No, it actually sounds more honest and polite than just saying 'What?' because you are explaining why you missed the info.
A more informal way to say you are distracted is estar no mundo da lua (to be in the moon's world/moon-dwelling).
Yes! You can say Eu não dei total atenção ao livro if you were distracted while reading.
관련 표현
prestar atenção
to pay attention
estar distraído
to be distracted
ouvir com atenção
to listen carefully
foco total
total focus
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