molestarte
/molestaɾte/from spelling rules
To disturb you in Spanish is molestarte.
This phrase is used to express the act of interrupting someone or causing them trouble while they are busy.
Which one should you use?
molestarte is used when you are addressing a friend, a family member or a peer. In contrast, you should use molestarle when you need to maintain a respectful distance with a superior or a stranger.
How do you pronounce it?
/molestaɾte/
What mistakes should you avoid?
While molestar is the standard and most common way to say 'to bother' or 'to annoy' in everyday conversation, English speakers should be aware that it can also carry a connotation of harassment in certain legal or sexual contexts.
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking countries, molestar is used to describe a playful tease or a joke, rather than a genuine disturbance.
- In some dialects, molestar is used to describe the physical sensation of an itch or a slight pain that 'bothers' a part of the body.
- The word molestia derived from molestar is often used in formal business letters to mean 'inconvenience' or 'trouble' in a highly polite way.
Examples in context
- Lamento molestarte mientras estás conversando.I'm sorry to disturb you while you're talking.This sentence is useful for apologizing for a disturbance during a conversation using molestarte.Tatoeba #1372264 by marcelostockle, translation #434013 by CK
- No quise molestarte.I didn't want to disturb you.This sentence shows how to express that you did not intend to disturb someone using molestarte.Tatoeba #2115675 by hayastan, translation #2013506 by CK
- No quiero molestarte.I don't want to disturb you.This sentence shows how to state a current desire not to disturb someone using molestarte.Tatoeba #3951999 by cueyayotl, translation #2012930 by CK
- Disculpe la molestia, ¿podría contestar una pregunta rápida?Sorry for the inconvenience, could you answer a quick question?
- Lamento interrumpir, pero necesito su ayuda con este asunto.I'm sorry for interrupting, but I need your help with this matter.
- ¿Le puedo molestar por un momento con una pregunta?Can I bother you for a moment with a question?
- ¿Puedo interrumpirle un instante para solicitar su opinión?May I interrupt you for a moment to ask for your opinion?
- Perdona que te moleste, pero necesito tu ayuda con esta tarea.Sorry to bother you, but I need your help with this task.
- ¿Puedo molestarte por un segundo para pedirte una sugerencia?Can I bother you for a second to ask for a suggestion?
Example conversation
Mateo approaches Sofía at her office desk.
- Mateo¿Puedo molestarte un segundo, Sofía?Can I disturb you for a second, Sofía?
- SofíaClaro, Mateo, dime.Sure, Mateo, tell me.
- MateoNecesito tu ayuda con este reporte.I need your help with this report.
- SofíaNo hay problema, te ayudo ahora.No problem, I'll help you now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
