How to Say "annoyed" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “annoyed” is “molesto” — use 'molesto' for a general feeling of being bothered or slightly irritated, often due to a personal inconvenience like losing something.
molesto
moh-LEH-stohmoˈlesto
Examples
Estoy molesto porque perdí mis llaves.
I am annoyed because I lost my keys.
¿Estás molesta conmigo? No quise ofenderte.
Are you upset with me? I didn't mean to offend you. (Note: using 'molesta' for a female speaker)
Use with Estar
When describing a person's temporary feeling or state, 'molesto' always pairs with the verb 'estar': 'Ella está molesta' (She is annoyed right now).
Agreement
Like all Spanish adjectives, 'molesto' must match the gender and number of the person feeling the emotion (molesta, molestos, molestas).
Ser vs. Estar Error
Mistake: “Soy molesto.”
Correction: Estoy molesto. Saying 'Soy molesto' means 'I am an annoying person' (Definition 1), which is different from 'I feel annoyed' (Definition 2).
enfadado
en-fah-DAH-dohem.faˈða.ðo
Examples
Mi hermano está enfadado porque perdí su libro favorito.
My brother is angry because I lost his favorite book.
Ella se puso muy enfadada cuando el tren se retrasó.
She got very annoyed when the train was delayed.
Es una persona enfadada, siempre se queja de todo.
He is an angry person; he always complains about everything.
Feeling vs. Character
Use 'estar enfadado' (to be angry) to describe a temporary feeling right now. Use 'ser enfadado' (less common) to describe someone who is generally an angry person.
Matching the Ending
Like all Spanish adjectives, 'enfadado' must match the person or thing it describes: 'enfadado' (masculine singular), 'enfadada' (feminine singular), 'enfadados' (masculine plural), 'enfadadas' (feminine plural).
Confusing 'Angry at'
Mistake: “Estoy enfadado a ti.”
Correction: Estoy enfadado contigo. (Use 'con' when saying who you are angry *with*.)
enojada
eh-noh-HAH-dahenoˈxaða
Examples
Mi madre está enojada porque llegué tarde a casa.
My mother is angry because I arrived home late.
La niña estaba enojada cuando le quitaron el juguete.
The girl was mad when they took away her toy.
Ella se puso muy enojada después de escuchar las noticias.
She got very upset after hearing the news.
Using ESTAR
Because 'enojada' describes a temporary emotional state (being angry right now), it almost always uses the verb 'estar' (Mi amiga está enojada).
Gender Agreement
Since this form ends in -a, it must describe a feminine subject (a girl, a woman, or a feminine noun like 'la situación'). If the subject were masculine (a boy, a man), you would use 'enojado'.
Using SER instead of ESTAR
Mistake: “Ella es enojada.”
Correction: Ella está enojada. Using 'es' (from 'ser') suggests being angry is a permanent, defining characteristic, which usually isn't the case for emotions.
disgustado
dees-goos-TAH-dohdis.ɣus.ˈta.ðo
Examples
Mi padre está disgustado porque llegué tarde.
My father is upset because I arrived late.
Pareces un poco disgustada, ¿pasó algo en el trabajo?
You look a bit annoyed, did something happen at work?
Los vecinos están disgustados con el ruido de la construcción.
The neighbors are displeased with the construction noise.
Matching the Person
This word changes its ending depending on who you are describing. Use 'disgustado' for a man and 'disgustada' for a woman.
Using 'Estar'
Since being upset is a feeling or a temporary state, you should use the verb 'estar' (to be) rather than 'ser'.
The 'False Friend' Trap
Mistake: “Using 'disgustado' to mean you are grossed out by something (like bad food).”
Correction: Use 'asqueado' for physical disgust. 'Disgustado' almost always means upset or annoyed in Spanish.
irritado
ee-rree-TAH-dohiriˈtaðo
Examples
El jefe está muy irritado con los retrasos de hoy.
The boss is very annoyed with the delays today.
Me siento un poco irritado por el ruido de la calle.
I feel a bit irritated because of the noise from the street.
No le hables ahora, parece bastante irritado.
Don't talk to him now, he looks quite cross.
Choosing the Right Linker
Use 'con' when you are annoyed with a person and 'por' when you are annoyed because of a situation or thing.
Using 'Molesto' vs. 'Irritado'
Mistake: “Estoy irritado de la música.”
Correction: Estoy irritado por la música. Use 'por' to explain the reason for your mood.
cabreado
kah-breh-AH-dohka.βɾe.ˈa.ðo
Examples
Mi padre está cabreado porque perdí las llaves del coche.
My dad is pissed off because I lost the car keys.
No la molestes ahora, que está muy cabreada.
Don't bother her now, she's really angry.
Estoy cabreado con el mundo hoy.
I'm annoyed with the world today.
Use with 'Estar'
Since this word describes a mood or a temporary feeling, always use it with 'estar' (to be) rather than 'ser'.
Ending changes for gender
If you are describing a woman, change the 'o' at the end to an 'a': 'Ella está cabreada'.
Using in formal settings
Mistake: “Using 'cabreado' in a job interview or a formal letter.”
Correction: Use 'enojado' or 'molesto' instead. 'Cabreado' is quite informal and could sound slightly rude in professional contexts.
molestado
mo-les-TAH-dohmolesˈtaðo
Examples
No me ha molestado su presencia en absoluto.
His presence hasn't bothered me at all.
¿Quién ha molestado al perro que no para de ladrar?
Who has bothered the dog? It won't stop barking.
La audiencia se sintió molestada por la interrupción.
The audience felt bothered by the interruption.
Un hombre molestado por el ruido llamó a la policía.
A man disturbed by the noise called the police.
Partnering with 'Haber'
As a past participle, 'molestado' is always used with the verb 'haber' (to have) to create perfect tenses. It never changes its ending when used this way, regardless of who did the action.
Passive Voice
You can also use 'molestado' with 'ser' (to be) to show that someone received the action: 'El hombre fue molestado' (The man was bothered).
Gender and Number Agreement
When 'molestado' is used as an adjective, it must match the person or thing it describes: 'molestada' (f.), 'molestados' (m. pl.), 'molestadas' (f. pl.).
Confusing Adjectives
Mistake: “Using 'molesto' when you mean 'molestado'.”
Correction: While 'molesto' (annoying/annoyed) is more common for describing a feeling, 'molestado' specifically means 'having been actively bothered or disturbed by someone else.' Use 'molestado' when the action of bothering is clear.
molestado
mo-les-TAH-dohmolesˈtaðo
Examples
La audiencia se sintió molestada por la interrupción.
The audience felt bothered by the interruption.
No me ha molestado su presencia en absoluto.
His presence hasn't bothered me at all.
¿Quién ha molestado al perro que no para de ladrar?
Who has bothered the dog? It won't stop barking.
Un hombre molestado por el ruido llamó a la policía.
A man disturbed by the noise called the police.
Partnering with 'Haber'
As a past participle, 'molestado' is always used with the verb 'haber' (to have) to create perfect tenses. It never changes its ending when used this way, regardless of who did the action.
Passive Voice
You can also use 'molestado' with 'ser' (to be) to show that someone received the action: 'El hombre fue molestado' (The man was bothered).
Gender and Number Agreement
When 'molestado' is used as an adjective, it must match the person or thing it describes: 'molestada' (f.), 'molestados' (m. pl.), 'molestadas' (f. pl.).
Confusing Adjectives
Mistake: “Using 'molesto' when you mean 'molestado'.”
Correction: While 'molesto' (annoying/annoyed) is more common for describing a feeling, 'molestado' specifically means 'having been actively bothered or disturbed by someone else.' Use 'molestado' when the action of bothering is clear.
picado
pee-KAH-dohpiˈkaðo
Examples
Se quedó picado porque perdió el partido de tenis.
He was annoyed because he lost the tennis match.
No te pongas picada, solo era una broma.
Don't get upset, it was just a joke.
Feeling vs. Being
Use 'estar' or 'quedarse' with this meaning because it describes a temporary mood or reaction to something that happened.
asado
ah-SAH-dohaˈsaðo
Examples
No me hables ahora, que estoy muy asado.
Don't talk to me right now, I'm really annoyed.
rallado
ra-YA-doraˈʝaðo
Examples
No te quedes rallado por lo que dijo, no era en serio.
Don't get all obsessed/worried about what he said; he wasn't serious.
Estoy muy rallado con este problema de matemáticas.
I'm really stuck/annoyed overthinking this math problem.
Ayer Carlos estaba muy rallado y no quiso salir.
Yesterday Carlos was really upset/tripping out and didn't want to go out.
Use with 'Estar'
When using this as a feeling, always use 'estar' (to be in a state). You wouldn't use 'ser' because this isn't a permanent personality trait.
Spelling confusion
Mistake: “Writing 'rayado' for this meaning.”
Correction: While many people use 'rayado' (like a scratched record), in Spain 'rallado' (like your brain being grated) is a very common informal spelling for this slang.
General Annoyance vs. Specific Anger
Related Translations
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