Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| molestar | /molesˈtaɾ/ | |
| agobiar | /aɡoˈbjaɾ/ | |
| brear | /bɾeˈaɾ/ | |
| cargosear | /kaɾɡoseˈaɾ/ | |
| fastidiar | /fastiˈdjaɾ/ | |
| joder | /xoˈdeɾ/ /ˌxoˈdeɾ/ |
vulgar |
| importunar | /impoɾtuˈnaɾ/ | |
| incomodar | /inkomoˈdaɾ/ | |
| incordiar | /inkoɾˈdjaɾ/ | colloquial |
| jorobar | /xoɾoˈbaɾ/ | colloquial |
| chingar | /t͡ʃinˈɡaɾ/ | vulgar |
Molestar is the common and direct translation for "to bother." Use incomodar when the bother specifically implies causing discomfort or inconvenience to someone. If the bother is more about feeling overwhelmed, stressed or suffocated by a person or situation, use agobiar. Fastidiar is used for situations or minor irritations that are a nuisance.
Which one should you use?
While molestar is used for general annoyance or disturbance, agobiar carries the nuance of being overwhelmed or stressed. Incomodar differs by focusing on the feeling of discomfort or inconvenience caused to a person. Fastidiar is a colloquial way to describe something that is a nuisance or annoying.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Importunar is a formal way to say bother, often used when discussing interrupting someone's privacy or time. Cargosear and incordiar are colloquial. For very strong or impolite language, joder and chingar are considered vulgar.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Chingar is a very common vulgar term used in Mexico and parts of Central America to mean bothering, messing with or ruining something.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/molesˈtaɾ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistake molestar for "molest" (sexual assault), but in Spanish, molestar simply means to annoy or bother.
Did you know?
- The word agobiar comes from the Latin word gibbus, meaning a 'hump' or 'protuberance'. It describes the sensation of a heavy weight or a physical hump being placed upon your shoulders, which is why it is used for feeling overwhelmed.
- In Mexico, chingar is so versatile that it can mean bothering someone, ruining a project or even working very hard, depending on the context.
- The verb joder is used in Spain as a common exclamation of frustration similar to 'damn it' or 'fuck', even when not directed at a person as a way of bothering them.
Examples in context
- No voy a molestarte.I won't bother you.This sentence demonstrates how to use molestar to say you won't bother someone.Tatoeba #455669 by Shishir, translation #454777 by CM
- No volveré a molestarte.I won't bother you again.This sentence shows the use of molestar to say you won't bother someone again.Tatoeba #4444236 by Shishir, translation #2276455 by CK
- No quiero molestar a Tom.I don't want to bother Tom.This sentence uses molestar to express a desire not to bother a specific person.Tatoeba #2164426 by hayastan, translation #2012638 by CK
- Disculpe si lo molestoExcuse me if I bother you
- No quiero preocuparteI don't want to bother you
- Deja de jorobarmeStop bothering me
- Disculpe si lo molesto, pero necesito su ayuda.Excuse me if I bother you, but I need your help.
- No quiero preocuparlo con mis problemas personales.I don't want to bother you with my personal issues.
- Disculpa si te molesto con mis chistes.Sorry if I bother you with my jokes.
- Deja de jorobarme con esas preguntas.Stop bothering me with those questions.
- Disculpa si te molestoSorry if I bother you
- 25 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena enters the room while Alejandro is studying.
- ElenaHola, ¿te voy a molestar ahora?Hi, am I going to bother you now?
- AlejandroNo, no me molestas, Elena.No, you aren't bothering me, Elena.
- ElenaSolo necesito hacerte una pregunta rápida.I just need to ask you a quick question.
- AlejandroEstá bien, dime.That's fine, tell me.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bother” translations and entries molestar, agobiar, brear, cargosear, fastidiar, joder, importunar, incomodar, incordiar, jorobar, chingar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries agobiar, brear, cargosear, molestar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
