me molestas
/me molestas/from spelling rules
The English phrase "you annoy me" is expressed in Spanish as me molestas.
This phrase is used to tell someone that their behavior is irritating or bothersome. While me molestas is a direct way to communicate this, it can sometimes be interpreted more as "you are bothering me" in a temporary sense.
Which one should you use?
If you want to express a deeper level of irritation or the feeling of being driven to despair, you might use me desesperas instead. If you are referring to a situation or an object rather than a person, you would use me molesta (it annoys me).
How does it change in a sentence?
To change the meaning from "you annoy me" to "it annoys me" (referring to an object or a situation), you change the verb ending to the third-person singular molesta.
How do you pronounce it?
/me molestas/
Did you know?
- The verb molestar can also mean 'to sexually molest' in certain contexts, so use it carefully if the tone becomes ambiguous or overly intense.
- In some contexts, molestar can be used as a polite way to ask for a favor by saying no quiero molestarlo, which means 'I do not wish to bother you'.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, saying me molestas to a sibling or close friend can be an affectionate tease rather than a genuine complaint.
Examples in context
- Me molestas con ese ruido.You annoy me with that noise.
- No me hables, me molestas mucho.Don't talk to me, you annoy me a lot.
- Me molestas cuando interrumpes mi trabajo.You annoy me when you interrupt my work.
Example conversation
Mateo is making loud noises while María tries to study.
- MaríaMateo, por favor, guarda silencio.Mateo, please, be quiet.
- MateoSolo estoy jugando un poco.I'm just playing a little.
- MaríaNo es divertido, me molestas.It's not funny, you annoy me.
- MateoEstá bien, lo siento.Okay, I'm sorry.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
