How to Say "bothered" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “bothered” is “molesto” — use 'molesto' when you are personally feeling annoyed or inconvenienced by something..
molesto
moh-LEH-stoh/moˈlesto/
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).
molestado
/mo-les-TAH-doh//molesˈtaðo/
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.
molestado
/mo-les-TAH-doh//molesˈtaðo/
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.
Choosing between 'molesto' and 'molestado'
Related Translations
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