Estorbar = to hinder or be in the way.

Question

My best friend is always telling his children that they are not "ayudantes" but rather "estorbantes". But the dictionary only gives us estorbador(a). Is he making up a word or is this a legitimate construction. If yes, why is it not in the dictionary?

:) - Kiwi-Girl, Dec 19, 2012

Answer 1

No, I don't think that it's a real word and RAE doesn't list it. I do however quite like it and think it would make a great word, so perhaps if we all start using it, given time, it soon will be a word jeje. Yes ayudante, estorbante, very nice!

Thanks Kiwi. I like it too. - gringojrf, Dec 19, 2012

:) - Kiwi-Girl, Dec 19, 2012

I will disagree since using "estorbar" with people isn't nice at all and no one "father" should ever use it for his children. :/ - -cae-, Dec 20, 2012

And your kids never get under foot? Hard to believe. - gringojrf, Dec 20, 2012

Answer 2

He is probably just making up this construction because it rhyms with "ayudantes." This sort thing is very common, at least in Mexico.

Thanks. I have never figured out the rules in Spanish for turning verbs into nouns. - gringojrf, Dec 19, 2012

@ Gringo - I think the only set 'rule' you can rely on there is to use the infinitve, often with the masc sing def article 'el' ;) - Kiwi-Girl, Dec 19, 2012

No rules, just say it as you or someone else has invented it; ie: Y por eso cuando me vaya al salón de los pelos, llegaré por las Dodge patas - 005faa61, Dec 19, 2012