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A cartoon illustration of a distressed person covering their ears while a large, buzzing mosquito hovers nearby, symbolizing annoyance.

moleste

moh-LEHS-teh

Verb (Conjugated Form)B1regular ar
bother?as in, 'that I bother' or 'that he bothers',annoy?as in, 'that I annoy' or 'that he annoys'
Also:disturb?to interrupt someone,cause discomfort?minor physical pain

Quick Reference

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

  • fastidie (annoy/pester)
  • irrite (irritate)

Antonyms

  • calme (calm/soothe)
  • agrade (please)

Common Collocations

  • que no me moleste – that it doesn't bother me
  • moleste a propósito – bother on purpose

💡 Grammar Points

The Special Verb Form (Subjunctive)

This form ('moleste') is used when the verb 'molestar' follows expressions of doubt, desire, emotion, or necessity, showing that the action is uncertain or desired, not a simple fact.

Formal Commands

When giving a formal command to 'Usted' (you formal), you use this exact form, especially in the negative: 'No moleste' (Don't bother!).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Mixing Moods

Mistake: "No quiero que me molesta."

Correction: No quiero que me moleste. (Explanation: After verbs like 'querer' (to want) that express desire, the verb in the second part of the sentence must change to the special form 'moleste'.)

⭐ Usage Tips

Using the Negative Command

The most common use of 'moleste' as a command is in the negative: 'No moleste' (Don't bother/disturb, formal). This is often seen on signs in public places.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: moleste

Question 1 of 2

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

📚 More Resources

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.