If molestar is to annoy then how do you say "He molested her"

Question

How could you tell the difference? "él la molestó." "él la molestaba.". How do you know if I am saying "annoyed her" or "molested her"? Two very different concepts. Gracias.

Answer 1

The word for "molest" in that context would be "abusar."

violó también - 00813f2a, JUL 4, 2010

Right. - Gekkosan, JUL 4, 2010

Answer 2

I would say abusar sexualmente or violar. I am not sure if violar is limited to rape though.

Yes, I think too that "Violar" is just rape. - --Mariana--, JUL 4, 2010

Answer 3

Hola,

Depende del tipo de abuso, se puede decir "manosear"...

I've always used manosear in a positive context Luisa. - jeezzle, JUL 4, 2010

You would :P Bromeo. - 003487d6, JUL 4, 2010

Hey who doesn't love a little manosear once in awhile to keep life interesting ;) - jeezzle, JUL 4, 2010

Je je, ¿A quién no le gusta que lo manoseen de vez en cuando? - LuisaGomezBartle, JUL 4, 2010

Hahaha - 003487d6, JUL 4, 2010

Les quiero por ensenarme esa palabra! hahaha - Ashlita, JUL 4, 2010

Answer 4

Thanks Marianne. You know our dictionary lists one of the definations for molestar as "to molest" and the main "abusar" defination is "to go to far" which I interpret as "to drink too much" etc... Learning via the internet is no easy task is it.

Yeah, it's really not easy. That's why the forum is so great. - --Mariana--, JUL 4, 2010

Somos en la misma pagina. - jeezzle, JUL 4, 2010

I think our dictionary is using the old, pre-1950, definition of molest, which means to annoy or disturb, not sexually attack. A Spanish friend is always saying to me in Spanish "I hope I am not molesting you", which I think she means "not bother you". - nick12345, OCT 7, 2013

To be complete, molest is still used to mean "bother or annoy". For example, here in South Florida, you will see signs saying "Don't molest the alligators or manatees". - nick12345, OCT 7, 2013

Answer 5

Acosar sexualmente. Sexual harassment(or molestation).

Me esta acosando sexualmente.

He is sexually harassing me.(or molesting me.)

I disagree. "Acoso sexual" no es igual que "abuso sexual". Sexual harassment is not the same as molestation. - Gekkosan, JUL 4, 2010

Answer 6

There is no word for "molesting" in Spanish, you have to be more specific, or graphic.

If you want to ask an adult if he/she was ever molested, you could start inquiring:

• ¿Alguna vez se propasaron contigo?
• Sí, un poco.
• ¿Llegaron a tocarte? ... ¿En tus partes?
• Sí, una vez...

You will have to explain the situation, good thing English has a word for that.