molestia
/moˈlɛs.tja/feminine
The English word 'harassment' is translated into Italian as molestia.
molestia refers to persistent attacks and criticism causing worry and distress. While it can mean harassment, it is frequently used in a milder sense to describe a nuisance, annoyance or a bother. In Italian, the term Stalking is also commonly used to describe persistent harassment.
Meaning: persistent attacks and criticism causing worry and distress (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /moˈlɛs.tja/. It has 3 syllables, and the stress is on the 2nd syllable.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistake molestia for the English word 'molestation', but in modern Italian, it is more commonly used to mean a nuisance or a bother.
Did you know?
- The phrase non voglio essere una molestia is a common way to politely apologize for interrupting someone or being a bother, similar to saying 'I don't want to be a nuisance'.
- The word molestia originates from the Latin word molestia, which referred to a burden or a difficult task.
- If an Italian describes a situation as una vera molestia, they are often talking about a bureaucratic headache or a tedious errand rather than a targeted attack.
Examples in context
- Questo mi sembra una molestia.This seems like harassment.This sentence shows how to express that something seems like a molestia.Tatoeba #5065779 by Guybrush88, translation #3830660 by CK
- La molestia sessuale è ormai diventata una questione sociale.Sexual harassment has now become a social issue.This sentence uses molestia in the context of a social issue regarding sexual harassment.Tatoeba #3358327 by Guybrush88, translation #51336 by CM
Example conversation
Two colleagues are talking about a difficult coworker.
- SofiaFrancesco, perché sei così nervoso oggi?Francesco, why are you so nervous today?
- FrancescoIl mio capo continua a criticarmi ogni minuto.My boss keeps criticizing me every minute.
- SofiaQuesta è chiaramente una molestia psicologica.This is clearly psychological harassment.
- FrancescoSì, Sofia, non so più cosa fare.Yes, Sofia, I don't know what to do anymore.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “harassment” translations and entries molestia, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries molestia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
