Inklingo

How to Say "disturbed" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “disturbed” is “molestado” — use this past participle form when something has been bothered or annoyed, often implying a completed action that has interrupted someone's peace or calm..

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molestado

/mo-les-TAH-doh//molesˈtaðo/

Verb (Past Participle)A2General
Use this past participle form when something has been bothered or annoyed, often implying a completed action that has interrupted someone's peace or calm.
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).

VerbA2General
This is the preterite tense of 'molestar' and is used when a specific past action directly bothered or interrupted someone's peace.

Examples

El ruido de la calle le molestó mucho.

The street noise bothered him a lot.

alterado

/al-te-RAH-doh//alteˈɾaðo/

AdjectiveB2General
Use this adjective when referring to a state of disorder, agitation, or a disruption of a planned sequence, like a schedule or a calm environment.
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.

movido

moh-VEE-doh/moˈβi.ðo/

AdjectiveA2General
Employ this adjective when 'disturbed' refers to something that has been physically moved from its original position.
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.

Confusing 'molestado/molestó' with 'alterado'

Learners often confuse 'molestado'/'molestó' (bothered, annoyed) with 'alterado' (disrupted order, agitated). Remember that 'molestar' focuses on personal annoyance or interruption, while 'alterado' refers more to a change in state, order, or calm.

Related Translations

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