Definition
分心 is a separable verb (离合词) that has two main uses. One is the literal meaning 'to be distracted' or 'to divert one's attention' — you can split it to insert aspect or measure: 分了心 ('got distracted'), 分过心 ('have been distracted'). The other is a polite set phrase meaning 'May I trouble you' or 'Would you mind', used at the start of a request to show deference (similar to 麻烦您). When used as a request, the verb usually stays together and is followed directly by the person you're addressing.
v.o.
to be distractedto divert one's attention(polite formula) May I trouble you (to do sth.)Would you mind (doing sth.)
Examples
- 分心。Shàngkè de shíhou bú yào fēn xīn.Don't get distracted during class.
- ，。Tā zuò zuòyè shí fēn le xīn, suǒyǐ xiě cuò le.He got distracted while doing homework, so he wrote it wrong.
- 分心。fēn xīn nín bāng wǒ ná yíxià kuàidì.May I trouble you to get the package for me?
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