Meaning
To draw focus away from something else.
Cultural Background
In Brazilian politics, the term 'cortina de fumaça' (smoke screen) is frequently used by journalists to describe when the government 'desvia a atenção' from a major crisis by creating a smaller, controversial distraction. In Portugal, 'desviar a atenção' is often used in the context of 'diplomacia' and 'etiqueta'. It is considered a sign of good breeding to 'desviar a atenção' from a guest's social blunder. In Angolan media, the phrase is often used in social critiques to describe how entertainment or sports are used to 'desviar a atenção' from social inequality. In the Lusophone corporate world, 'desviar a atenção' is a key part of 'Gerenciamento de Crise' (Crisis Management). It is taught as a rhetorical skill in PR training.
The 'De/Para' Rule
Always remember: Desviar a atenção DE (from) PARA (to). This makes your Portuguese sound very advanced and precise.
Don't over-reflexive
Avoid saying 'Eu me desviei a atenção'. It's just 'Eu desviei a atenção'.
Meaning
To draw focus away from something else.
The 'De/Para' Rule
Always remember: Desviar a atenção DE (from) PARA (to). This makes your Portuguese sound very advanced and precise.
Don't over-reflexive
Avoid saying 'Eu me desviei a atenção'. It's just 'Eu desviei a atenção'.
The Polite Distraction
In Brazil, if someone has food in their teeth, it's common to 'desviar a atenção' of others while you discreetly tell the person.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct preposition.
O político tentou desviar a atenção ___ escândalo ___ as obras públicas.
We use 'do' (de + o) to indicate what we are moving away from, and 'para' to indicate the new focus.
Which sentence uses the phrase in a strategic/intentional sense?
Escolha a frase correta:
Option B shows a deliberate, strategic use of distraction, which is the core of this collocation.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural response.
A: 'Você viu que o relatório está errado?' B: 'Sim, mas não diga nada agora. Vamos _________ para os resultados positivos.'
In a corporate setting, 'desviar a atenção' is the standard way to describe shifting focus to avoid a negative topic.
🎉 Score: /3
Visual Learning Aids
Desviar vs. Distrair
Practice Bank
3 exercisesO político tentou desviar a atenção ___ escândalo ___ as obras públicas.
We use 'do' (de + o) to indicate what we are moving away from, and 'para' to indicate the new focus.
Escolha a frase correta:
Option B shows a deliberate, strategic use of distraction, which is the core of this collocation.
A: 'Você viu que o relatório está errado?' B: 'Sim, mas não diga nada agora. Vamos _________ para os resultados positivos.'
In a corporate setting, 'desviar a atenção' is the standard way to describe shifting focus to avoid a negative topic.
🎉 Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
14 questionsNot always. It can be manipulative (politics) or helpful (parenting/etiquette).
Yes, 'desviar o foco' is a very common and modern synonym, especially in business.
'Desviar' is an active redirection; 'distrair' is often a passive loss of focus.
You can say 'Não mude de assunto' or 'Não tente desviar a atenção'.
Yes, it is standard in all Portuguese-speaking countries.
Yes, 'desviar o olhar' (to look away) is a related physical version.
It is neutral to formal. In very casual settings, 'mudar de assunto' is more common.
It's a figurative 'smoke screen' used to 'desviar a atenção' from something important.
Eu desviei, você desviou, nós desviamos, eles desviaram.
Yes, it's a great way to describe how you handle difficult questions.
Yes, usually. 'Desviar atenção' (without 'a') is rare and sounds incomplete.
'Focar a atenção' or 'Prestar atenção'.
In Brazil, 'dar um migué' can sometimes imply this kind of dodging.
Absolutely, it's very common in essays and news articles.
Related Phrases
Mudar de assunto
synonymTo change the subject
Sair pela tangente
similarTo go off on a tangent
Cortina de fumaça
specialized formSmoke screen
Prestar atenção
contrastTo pay attention
Chamar a atenção
builds onTo call attention
