Inklingo

How to Say "to bug" in Spanish

English → Spanish

fastidiar

/fas-tee-dee-AHR//fastiˈðjaɾ/

verbA2informal
Use this informal verb when someone is being irritating or annoying you in a persistent but generally mild way.
A small buzzing mosquito flying around the head of a person trying to read a book.

Examples

Deja de fastidiar a tu hermana.

Stop annoying your sister.

Me fastidia mucho el ruido de la calle.

The street noise really bothers me.

Le fastidia que la gente no sea puntual.

It bugs him when people aren't punctual.

Using 'Fastidiar' like 'Gustar'

When you want to say something bothers you, use 'me fastidia'. The thing that is annoying becomes the subject, just like with 'me gusta'.

Special Verb Form for Wishes

If you are telling someone 'I hope that doesn't annoy you,' you must use the special subjunctive form: 'Espero que no te fastidie'.

Wrong Word for 'Bored'

Mistake: “Saying 'estoy fastidiado' to mean 'I am bored'.”

Correction: Say 'estoy aburrido'. Use 'estoy fastidiado' only when you are annoyed or upset about something.

hartar

/ar-TAR//aɾˈtaɾ/

verbB1informal
Use this informal verb when someone's actions, like constant complaining, are making you fed up or weary.
A small child repeatedly tugging on the sleeve of a tired-looking adult sitting on a sofa.

Examples

Tus quejas me van a hartar.

Your complaints are going to annoy me.

Ese ruido termina por hartar a cualquiera.

That noise ends up tiring anyone out.

No quiero hartarte con mis problemas personales.

I don't want to bore you with my personal problems.

Using 'Hartar' vs 'Hartarse'

Use 'hartar' when you are annoying someone else. Use the reflexive 'hartarse' (adding -se to the end) when you are the one getting fed up.

The preposition 'de'

When you want to say what specifically is annoying you, use the word 'de' after the verb, as in 'Me harté de esperar' (I got fed up with waiting).

Confusing 'Hartar' with 'Odiar'

Mistake: “Using hartar to mean 'I hate it' permanently.”

Correction: Hartar is usually about reaching a limit of patience. Use 'odiar' for hate and 'hartar' for losing your cool after too much of something.

fregar

/fre-GAHR//fɾeˈɣaɾ/

verbB2informal
Use this verb when someone is actively pestering or bothering you, especially when you want them to stop so you can concentrate.
A small buzzing fly circling around a person's head while they try to read.

Examples

¡No me friegues! Estoy tratando de trabajar.

Don't bug me! I'm trying to work.

Ya la fregamos, perdimos las llaves.

We've messed up now, we lost the keys.

Slang use of 'la'

When people say 'la fregué', they are using 'la' to mean 'the situation'. It's a common way to say 'I messed it up' without naming a specific thing.

Use with caution

Mistake: “Using 'fregar' in a job interview.”

Correction: This meaning of 'fregar' is very informal. Use 'molestar' or 'cometer un error' in professional settings.

Choosing Between Annoyance and Being Fed Up

Learners often confuse 'fastidiar' and 'hartar'. 'Fastidiar' is for general irritation, while 'hartar' implies you're reaching your limit and are becoming fed up with the behavior.

Related Translations

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