总是心不在焉
“she was constantly distracted”
THE DIALOGUE REEL
这个月余来
“For the past month,”
总 是 心不在焉
“she was constantly distracted”
还一直做噩梦
“and having nightmares.”
Direct spoken expression in this communicative setting.
Noticing changes in focus (心不在焉) and sleep disturbance (噩梦) is commonly cited in Chinese everyday discourse as evidence of hidden guilt or emotional turmoil.
LEARNING CHUNKS & PARTICLES
absent-minded; inattentive
A widely used Chengyu suitable for describing someone whose mind is clearly preoccupied elsewhere.