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estorbar

ess-tor-BARestorˈbar

“estorbar” means “to be in the way” in Spanish (physical obstruction).

to be in the way

Also: to hinder, to block
VerbB1regular ar
Latin America
A large, colorful armchair blocking a narrow hallway, making it impossible for a person to pass through.
gerundestorbando
past Participleestorbado
infinitiveestorbar

📝 In Action

Esa maleta estorba en medio del pasillo.

A2

That suitcase is in the way in the middle of the hallway.

¿Te estorbo aquí o puedo quedarme?

B1

Am I in your way here or can I stay?

El ruido estorbaba la concentración de los estudiantes.

B2

The noise was hindering the students' concentration.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • obstaculizar (to obstruct)
  • impedir (to prevent/impede)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • estorbar el paso – to block the way
  • sin estorbar – without getting in the way
  • dejar de estorbar – to stop being in the way

Idioms & Expressions

  • el que mucho abarca, poco estorba – Actually a variation of a different proverb, but used to mean if you try to do too much, you just get in the way

Subjunctive

Imperfect Subjunctive

yoestorbara
túestorbaras
él/ella/ustedestorbara
nosotrosestorbáramos
vosotrosestorbarais
ellos/ellas/ustedesestorbaran

Present Subjunctive

yoestorbe
túestorbes
él/ella/ustedestorbe
nosotrosestorbemos
vosotrosestorbéis
ellos/ellas/ustedesestorben

Indicative

Preterite

yoestorbé
túestorbaste
él/ella/ustedestorbó
nosotrosestorbamos
vosotrosestorbasteis
ellos/ellas/ustedesestorbaron

Imperfect

yoestorbaba
túestorbabas
él/ella/ustedestorbaba
nosotrosestorbábamos
vosotrosestorbabais
ellos/ellas/ustedesestorbaban

Present

yoestorbo
túestorbas
él/ella/ustedestorba
nosotrosestorbamos
vosotrosestorbáis
ellos/ellas/ustedesestorban
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "estorbar" in Spanish:

to block→to hinder→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: estorbar

Question 1 of 3

If someone is standing in front of the TV and you can't see, what could you say?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
estorbo(nuisance / obstacle) — Noun
estorboso(cumbersome / in the way) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin 'exturbare', which means to drive out or agitate. It combines 'ex' (out) and 'turbare' (to disturb). Over time, the meaning shifted from 'throwing someone out' to simply 'disturbing' their path or space.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: disturbPortuguese: estorvar

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'estorbar' a rude word?

Not necessarily. While it can be used to complain, asking '¿Estorbo?' is a very polite way to check if you are inconveniencing someone.

Can I use 'estorbar' for a sound?

Yes! If a loud noise is making it impossible for you to work or sleep, you can say the noise 'estorba'.

What is the difference between 'un estorbo' and 'estorbar'?

'Estorbar' is the action (to be in the way), while 'un estorbo' is a noun referring to the person or thing that is the obstacle.