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How to Say "pesky" in Spanish

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malditas

/mal-DEE-tas//malˈdi.tas/

AdjectiveB1Informal
Use 'malditas' when referring to something frustratingly elusive or problematic, often with a mild sense of exasperation.
A small child stands next to a large, spilled ice cream cone on the ground, making an extremely frustrated, exaggerated face and stomping their foot, illustrating intense annoyance.

Examples

¡Las malditas llaves no aparecen por ninguna parte!

The damn keys won't show up anywhere!

Tengo que terminar estas malditas tareas antes de irme a dormir.

I have to finish these bloody tasks before going to sleep.

Siempre hay colas malditas en el supermercado.

There are always damn lines at the supermarket.

Always Matches the Noun

'Malditas' is a descriptive word (adjective), so it must match the thing it describes in number and gender. Use 'malditas' only when talking about multiple feminine things (e.g., horas, preguntas).

Using the Wrong Gender

Mistake: “Las malditos preguntas (Incorrect)”

Correction: Las malditas preguntas. (Correct: 'Preguntas' is feminine, so the adjective must be feminine.)

condenado

/kon-deh-NAH-doh//kon.deˈna.ðo/

AdjectiveB2Informal
Choose 'condenado' to describe something or someone that is persistently bothersome or causes significant irritation, often implying a stronger sense of being cursed or doomed.
A small, dejected figure sitting alone in the rain, holding a broken umbrella.

Examples

¡Este condenado despertador no me dejó dormir!

This wretched alarm clock wouldn't let me sleep!

Se me perdió el condenado libro que necesitaba para el examen.

I lost the darned book I needed for the exam.

Emotional Intensifier

In this informal sense, 'condenado' acts like 'darned' or 'cursed' in English, adding emotional emphasis to the noun, usually negative.

Choosing Between 'Malditas' and 'Condenado'

Learners often confuse 'malditas' and 'condenado' because both express annoyance. The key difference lies in intensity: 'malditas' is generally milder and more common for everyday frustrations, while 'condenado' carries a stronger sense of persistent trouble.

Related Translations

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