deja de molestarme
/dexa de molestaɾme/from spelling rules
In Spanish, "stop bugging me" is expressed as deja de molestarme.
This phrase is used to request that someone stop annoying or bothering you. While the verb molestar literally means to bother or annoy, it is a very common way to express the English slang "to bug someone".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of deja (stop or leave), de (from or of), molestar (to bother or annoy) and the suffix -me (me).
Which one should you use?
You can also use the phrase no me molestes, which is a common alternative that functions as a direct command to stop the annoyance.
How does it change in a sentence?
If you are addressing more than one person, you should use the plural form dejen de molestarme instead of the singular deja de molestarme.
How do you pronounce it?
/dexa de molestaɾme/
Did you know?
- If you are in Mexico or Central America, you might hear someone use the phrase no me estés dando lata to mean 'stop bugging me' in a much more idiomatic, informal way.
- While 'molestar' is common for 'to bother', in many Spanish-speaking countries, it can also carry a much stronger sexual connotation meaning 'to molest' or 'to sexually harass'.
- The verb molestar shares the same root as the English word 'molest', but in Spanish it is used for everyday annoyances like a buzzing fly or a pestering sibling.
Examples in context
- ¡Deja de molestarme!Stop bugging me!This sentence shows how to use the phrase deja de molestarme as an exclamation.Tatoeba #1303361 by wallebot, translation #1604659 by Spamster
- Por favor, déjeme en paz. Necesito concentrarme en mi trabajo.Please leave me alone. I need to focus on my work.
- ¡Déjame en paz! Estoy cansado(a) y necesito descansar.Leave me alone! I'm tired and need to rest.
- ¡Para ya de molestarme! No me interesa lo que dices.Stop pestering me already! I'm not interested in what you're saying.
- Por favor, deja de molestarme con esas preguntas.Please, stop bugging me with those questions.
- ¡Deja de molestarme, estoy intentando estudiar!Stop bugging me, I am trying to study!
Example conversation
Daniel is constantly poking Lucía while she is working.
- LucíaDaniel, deja de molestarme, por favor.Daniel, stop bugging me, please.
- DanielSolo quería saber qué hora es.I only wanted to know what time it is.
- LucíaMira tu reloj y déjame trabajar.Look at your watch and let me work.
- DanielEstá bien, lo siento, Lucía.Okay, I am sorry, Lucía.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
