Despistado

Despistado is a Spanish adjective used to describe someone who is distracted, absent-minded, or preoccupied. The term can refer to a temporary lapse in attention or, more generally, to a person who has trouble following conversations or keeping track of details. It can carry a light, affectionate tone when used about a friend, or a mild critical tone if used more sharply.

The etymology traces to despistar, meaning to mislead or throw off the track, with the descriptor referring to a person who has been figuratively diverted or disoriented. In everyday speech, despistado often implies being lost in one's thoughts, being slow to respond, or being unaware of one's surroundings.

Usage and connotations vary by region and context. In Spain and many Latin American countries, phrases like estar despistado, estar distraído, or vivir en las nubes convey similar ideas. Despistado is typically temporary and reversible with attention or prompting; it is less severe than terms for profound forgetfulness or cognitive impairment.

Derivatives include despistarse (to space out; to get distracted), despistado/a as a noun in some casual uses to refer to a person who is often distracted.

See also: distraído, olvidadizo, estar en las nubes.