acosar
“acosar” means “to harass” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
to harass, to bully
Also: to pester
📝 In Action
Es ilegal acosar a los compañeros de trabajo.
B1It is illegal to harass co-workers.
No me acoses con tantas preguntas ahora mismo.
A2Don't pester me with so many questions right now.
El niño denunció que otros estudiantes lo acosaban.
B2The boy reported that other students were bullying him.
to hound, to beset
📝 In Action
Las deudas empezaron a acosarlo.
C1Debts started to beset/overwhelm him.
Los periodistas acosaron al deportista tras la derrota.
B2The journalists hounded the athlete after the defeat.
El remordimiento le acosa la conciencia.
C2Remorse is hounding his conscience.
🔄 Conjugations
subjunctive
imperfect
present
indicative
preterite
imperfect
present
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: acosar
Question 1 of 3
Which sentence correctly describes workplace bullying?
📚 More Resources
📚 Etymology▼
From the Spanish prefix 'a-' and 'coso' (a place for racing or bullfights), which comes from Latin 'cursus' (race/course). It originally meant to drive an animal into a ring or to pursue it during a race.
First recorded: 15th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'acosar' always sexual in Spanish?
No. While it can refer to sexual harassment ('acoso sexual'), it broadly means to bother, pester, or bully someone in any context, including school, work, or online.
How do you say 'bullying' in Spanish?
While many people use the English word 'bullying', the formal and correct Spanish terms are 'acoso escolar' (school harassment) or simply the verb 'acosar'.
What is the difference between 'molestar' and 'acosar'?
'Molestar' is a lighter word for 'to bother' or 'to annoy'. 'Acosar' implies a more persistent, aggressive, or serious level of pressure or harassment.