Deja de molestarme
/dexa de molestaɾme/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'stop messing with me' can be translated into Spanish as Deja de molestarme.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of deja (stop/leave), de (from/of), molestar (to bother/annoy) and the enclitic pronoun -me (me).
Which one should you use?
While molestar can be used to mean 'to mess with' in a teasing sense, it is more literally a way to say 'to bother' or 'to annoy'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form Deja de molestarme uses the informal imperative deja, which is appropriate for friends or peers. To use the phrase in a formal context or when addressing someone with respect, change deja to deje.
Did you know?
- If you are in Spain and someone is teasing you, you might say deja de tomarme el pelo, which literally means 'stop pulling my hair'.
- Depending on the region, instead of molestarme, someone might say deja de darme la lata, which translates to 'stop giving me the tin can'.
- In Mexico, a common way to say 'stop messing with me' in a joking way is No me estés dando guerra, which literally translates to 'stop giving me war'.
Examples in context
- Deja de molestarme, por favor.Stop bothering me, please.
- Para ya de jugar conmigo.Stop playing with me already.
- ¡Deja de molestarme, estoy trabajando!Stop messing with me, I am working!
- Por favor, deja de molestarme ahora.Please, stop messing with me now.
Example conversation
Alejandro is hiding María's phone while she is trying to study.
- MaríaAlejandro, ¿dónde está mi teléfono?Alejandro, where is my phone?
- AlejandroNo sé de qué hablas.I don't know what you're talking about.
- María¡Deja de molestarme, sé que lo tienes!Stop messing with me, I know you have it!
- AlejandroEstá bien, está debajo del cojín.Alright, it is under the cushion.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
