How to Say "annoying" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “annoying” is “molesto” — use 'molesto' to describe a thing, a sound, or a situation that is generally irritating..
molesto
moh-LEH-stoh/moˈlesto/
Examples
El ruido de la construcción es muy molesto.
The construction noise is very annoying.
Esa luz brillante es molesta para mis ojos.
That bright light is irritating to my eyes.
Molesto vs. Molestado
When describing a thing, use 'molesto' (the quality). The verb 'molestar' is used to describe the action: 'El ruido me molesta' (The noise annoys me).
molestando
/mo-les-TAN-do//molesˈtando/
Examples
El perro está molestando a los vecinos con sus ladridos.
The dog is bothering the neighbors with its barking.
Estuve molestando a mi jefe hasta que me dio el día libre.
I kept bothering my boss until he gave me the day off.
Si tu rodilla te sigue molestando, deberías ir al médico.
If your knee keeps bothering you (causing discomfort), you should go to the doctor.
Showing Ongoing Action
"Molestando" is the '-ing' form (the gerund). You use it with a form of the verb estar (like estoy, estás, está) to say the annoyance is happening right now: Está molestando (He is bothering).
Using the Gerund Alone
You can sometimes use 'molestando' by itself to describe how someone is behaving: Vino a la fiesta, siempre molestando a todos (He came to the party, always annoying everyone).
The False Friend Trap
Mistake: “Using 'molestar' to mean 'to sexually abuse' (like the English word 'to molest').”
Correction: In Spanish, *molestar* means 'to annoy' or 'to bother.' If you mean the severe action implied by the English word, use phrases like *abusar sexualmente* or *agredir*.
pesada
peh-SAH-dah/peˈsaða/
Examples
Mi tía es muy pesada; siempre hace las mismas preguntas.
My aunt is so annoying; she always asks the same questions.
La reunión fue increíblemente pesada y duró tres horas.
The meeting was incredibly tedious/tiresome and lasted three hours.
insoportable
een-soh-por-TAH-bleh/in.so.poɾˈta.βle/
Examples
Mi jefe es insoportable; siempre está gritando.
My boss is obnoxious; he is always yelling.
Su actitud arrogante se volvió insoportable para todos.
His arrogant attitude became intolerable for everyone.
Ese niño no para de hacer ruido, ¡es insoportable!
That child won't stop making noise, he is unbearable (or: a pain)!
Gender is Easy
Since 'insoportable' ends in '-e', it is one of the adjectives that doesn't change based on whether the person or thing you are describing is masculine or feminine (e.g., 'el jefe insoportable' and 'la vecina insoportable').
Don't Change the Ending
Mistake: “insoportablo / insoportabla”
Correction: The ending remains '-able' for both genders. Only change it to 'insoportables' if you are describing more than one thing.
Person vs. Situation
Related Translations
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