molestar
/moh-lehs-tahr/
to bother
Use molestar when you want to say 'to bother' or 'to annoy' someone.
molestar(verb)
to bother
?to annoy or disturb someone
,to annoy
?to cause mild irritation
to irritate
?to make slightly angry
,to disturb
?to interrupt someone
📝 In Action
Por favor, no molestes al perro mientras come.
A1Please, don't bother the dog while it eats.
¿Le molesta si abro la ventana?
A2Does it bother you if I open the window?
Me molesta mucho el ruido de la calle.
A2The street noise annoys me a lot.
💡 Grammar Points
Using 'Molestar' like 'Gustar'
When talking about things that bother you, 'molestar' often works backwards, just like 'gustar' (to like). You use 'me', 'te', 'le', etc., followed by the verb. Example: 'Me molesta el calor' (The heat bothers me).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Molestar' for 'To be Bothered'
Mistake: "Estoy molestando (I am bothered)."
Correction: Estoy molesto/a (I am bothered/annoyed). 'Molestar' means 'to annoy,' so 'estoy molestando' means 'I am annoying (someone).'
⭐ Usage Tips
A Polite Interruption
To politely get someone's attention, you can say: 'Disculpa que te moleste...' (Excuse me for bothering you...).
In Spanish, molestar can also mean 'to hurt' when referring to mild physical pain or discomfort.
molestar(verb)
to hurt
?to cause mild physical pain or discomfort
,to trouble
?to cause a mild physical ailment
to ache
?when referring to a body part
📝 In Action
¿Te molesta la espalda después de hacer ejercicio?
B1Does your back hurt after exercising?
La etiqueta de la camisa me molesta mucho.
A2The shirt tag bothers/irritates me a lot.
El doctor preguntó si algo le molestaba al caminar.
B2The doctor asked if anything troubled him when walking.
💡 Grammar Points
Using 'Molestar' vs. 'Doler'
'Molestar' is usually for minor, temporary, or irritating discomfort (like a scratchy throat or a tight shoe). 'Doler' is used for actual, usually sharper pain (like a broken bone or a headache).
⭐ Usage Tips
Asking About Pain
When asking about pain, you can use '¿Qué te molesta?' (What is bothering you?) to ask where the discomfort is coming from.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: molestar
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'molestar' to describe being annoyed by a loud sound?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does 'molestar' sometimes sound like 'to molest' in English?
While the words share a common Latin root (*molestare*), their meanings have separated. In Spanish, 'molestar' only means 'to bother, annoy, or cause discomfort.' It does NOT carry the serious legal/sexual connotation of the English word 'to molest.' For that meaning, Spanish uses verbs like 'abusar' or 'acosar'.
How do I say 'I am bothered' using 'molestar'?
You use the adjective form: 'Estoy molesto' (if you are male) or 'Estoy molesta' (if you are female). You would NOT say 'Estoy molestando' unless you meant 'I am currently annoying someone else.'