deja de molestar
/dexa de molestaɾ/from spelling rules
To say 'stop being annoying' in Spanish, you use deja de molestar.
This phrase is a request or command for someone to cease behaving in a way that irritates or bothers others. While the phrase focuses on the action of bothering, it is a common way to express that someone is being annoying without using a direct adjective for 'annoying'. In colloquial settings, you might describe an annoying or bothersome person as pesado.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase deja de molestar is composed of deja (stop or leave), de (from or of) and molestar (to bother or annoy).
Which one should you use?
The standard way to express this is through the verb molestar (to bother), rather than using a specific adjective for 'annoying'. If you want to specifically say 'stop being a pain', you can use Deja de ser un(a) pesado(a).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, you may hear the phrase Deja de dar la lata to mean 'stop being a nuisance'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the imperative form of dejar followed by the preposition de and an infinitive verb. To address more than one person, change deja to the plural imperative dejen, resulting in dejen de molestar.
Did you know?
- While molestar means 'to bother' in this context, in some Latin American countries it can be used to describe sexual harassment or inappropriate advances.
- If you call someone a pesado, you are literally calling them 'heavy'.
- The phrase deja de dar la lata uses an idiom that literally translates to 'stop giving the tin'.
Examples in context
- Deje de ser molesto/a, por favor.Please stop being annoying.
- Deja de ser un(a) pesado(a).Stop being a pain.
- Deja de joder, por favor.Stop fucking around, please.
- ¡Deja de molestar, estoy trabajando!Stop being annoying, I'm working!
- Deja de molestar con ese ruido.Stop being annoying with that noise.
- Por favor, deja de molestar a los vecinos.Please, stop being annoying to the neighbors.
Example conversation
Javier is trying to study and Elena keeps tapping on his desk.
- JavierElena, deja de molestar, por favor.Elena, stop being annoying, please.
- ElenaSolo estoy jugando un poco.I'm only playing a little bit.
- JavierNo puedo concentrarme así.I can't concentrate like this.
- ElenaEstá bien, lo siento, Javier.Okay, I'm sorry, Javier.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
