Inklingo

moleste

moh-LEHS-tehmoˈles.te

moleste means bother in Spanish (as in, 'that I bother' or 'that he bothers').

bother, annoy

Also: disturb, cause discomfort
A cartoon illustration of a distressed person covering their ears while a large, buzzing mosquito hovers nearby, symbolizing annoyance.
infinitivemolestar
gerundmolestando
past Participlemolestado

📝 In Action

No quiero que el ruido te moleste.

B1

I don't want the noise to bother you.

Espero que mi presencia no moleste a nadie.

B1

I hope my presence doesn't annoy anyone. (Yo form of subjunctive)

Dígale que no moleste a los vecinos con esa música.

B2

Tell him not to bother the neighbors with that music. (Él/Ella/Usted form of subjunctive)

Por favor, no moleste al conductor.

A2

Please, do not bother the driver. (Formal negative command, Usted form)

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • que no me molestethat it doesn't bother me
  • moleste a propósitobother on purpose

Indicative

Present

yomolesto
molestas
él/ella/ustedmolesta
nosotrosmolestamos
vosotrosmolestáis
ellos/ellas/ustedesmolestan

Imperfect

yomolestaba
molestabas
él/ella/ustedmolestaba
nosotrosmolestábamos
vosotrosmolestabais
ellos/ellas/ustedesmolestaban

Preterite

yomolesté
molestaste
él/ella/ustedmolestó
nosotrosmolestamos
vosotrosmolestasteis
ellos/ellas/ustedesmolestaron

Subjunctive

Present Subjunctive

yomoleste
molestes
él/ella/ustedmoleste
nosotrosmolestemos
vosotrosmolestéis
ellos/ellas/ustedesmolesten

Imperfect Subjunctive

yomolestara/molestase
molestaras/molestases
él/ella/ustedmolestara/molestase
nosotrosmolestáramos/molestásemos
vosotrosmolestarais/molestaseis
ellos/ellas/ustedesmolestaran/molestasen

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "moleste" in Spanish:

annoybothercause discomfortdisturb

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: moleste

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly uses 'moleste' as a formal command?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
🎵 Rhymes
📚 Etymology

The verb *molestar* comes from the Latin word *molestāre*, meaning 'to trouble' or 'to annoy.' It has maintained its core meaning of causing discomfort or irritation throughout its development in Spanish.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Italian: molestareFrench: molester

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'moleste' the same as 'molesta'?

No, they are different forms. 'Molesta' means 'he/she/it bothers' or 'you (informal) bother' in a factual statement (e.g., 'He bothers me'). 'Moleste' is a special form used for wishes, commands, or doubts (e.g., 'I hope he doesn't bother me').

When do I know I need to use 'moleste' instead of the standard verb form?

You need 'moleste' when the sentence involves two different people and the first part expresses a feeling, desire, recommendation, or doubt about the action of the second person. Think of it as the 'uncertainty' form.