ab|lenken
Translation
to distract, to divert
Examples
Der Lärm lenkt mich von der Arbeit ab.
The noise distracts me from my work.
Er versuchte, sie mit einem Witz abzulenken.
He tried to distract her with a joke.
Bitte lenken Sie nicht vom Thema ab.
Please do not divert from the topic.
Grammar Patterns
((sb.)) ((from sth.)) to distract sb. from sth. The noise distracts me from my work.
((sb.)) to distract sb. Please don't distract me!
((oneself)) ((with sth.)) to distract oneself with sth. He distracts himself with music.
Similar Words
Synonyms: stören (to disturb), zerstreuen (to distract); Antonyms: konzentrieren (to concentrate)
Etymology
From the prefix 'ab-' (away) and the verb 'lenken' (to steer, direct). It literally means 'to steer away'.
Memory Tips
Imagine someone 'steering' (lenken) your attention 'away' (ab) from what you are doing.