Inklingo

How to Say "disturbed" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “disturbed” is “molestado” — use this when someone or something has caused annoyance or a minor inconvenience, implying an action that has already happened.

English → Spanish

molestado

mo-les-TAH-dohmolesˈtaðo

Verb (Past Participle)A2Informal
Use this when someone or something has caused annoyance or a minor inconvenience, implying an action that has already happened.
A grumpy bear cub sitting up in bed, rubbing its eyes, looking annoyed that a butterfly has just flown away out the window.

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.

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).

VerbA2Informal
Use this when a specific event or action interrupted someone's peace or caused them annoyance in the past.

Examples

El ruido de la calle le molestó mucho.

The street noise bothered him a lot.

movido

moh-VEE-dohmoˈβi.ðo

AdjectiveA2Neutral
This refers to something that has been physically moved from its original position or place.
A large, simple brown box resting on a new, unfamiliar floor next to a partially opened door, suggesting it has just been moved into a new location.

Examples

Parece que la mesa ha sido movida; no está en su sitio.

It looks like the table has been moved; it's not in its place.

El cuadro está un poco movido a la izquierda.

The painting is a little shifted to the left.

Past Participle Origin

'Movido' is the form of the verb 'mover' (to move) used in perfect tenses (e.g., 'ha movido' - has moved). When used alone, it functions like an adjective describing the result of that action.

alterado

al-te-RAH-dohalteˈɾaðo

AdjectiveB2Neutral
Use this when the normal order, routine, or state of peace has been disrupted or changed.
A bright green apple that has been painted with blue stripes.

Examples

El horario de clases ha sido alterado.

The class schedule has been altered.

El orden de los nombres fue alterado por error.

The order of the names was modified by mistake.

perturbado

per-toor-BAH-thopeɾtuɾˈβaðo

AdjectiveB2Formal
This describes someone who is mentally or emotionally troubled, upset, or unsettled.
A sad-looking person sitting on a small wooden stool with their head in their hands, surrounded by floating storm clouds.

Examples

Después de ver esa película de terror, me quedé un poco perturbado.

After watching that horror movie, I felt a bit unsettled.

El hombre parecía perturbado y hablaba solo en la calle.

The man seemed disturbed and was talking to himself on the street.

Su pasado traumático lo dejó emocionalmente perturbado.

His traumatic past left him emotionally disturbed.

Adjective Agreement

Since this is an adjective, you must change the ending to match the person: 'perturbado' for a man, 'perturbada' for a woman, and 'perturbados/as' for groups.

Using with 'estar'

We almost always use this with 'estar' because it describes a state or a feeling rather than a permanent personality trait.

Disturbed vs. Annoyed

Mistake: “Using 'perturbado' when you just mean you are annoyed.”

Correction: Use 'molesto' for being annoyed. 'Perturbado' is much stronger and usually refers to mental or deep emotional distress.

Annoyance vs. Mental State

Learners often confuse 'molestado' (annoyed/bothered) with 'perturbado' (mentally/emotionally disturbed). Remember that 'molestado' implies a more surface-level irritation, while 'perturbado' refers to a deeper internal unease or distress.

Related Translations

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