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"Bother" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "molestar", and "trouble" is a noun which is often translated as "los problemas". Learn more about the difference between "bother" and "trouble" below.
bother(
ba
-
thuhr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to annoy)
a. molestar
Stop bothering your brother and do your homework.Deja de molestar a tu hermano y haz tu tarea.
b. fastidiar
You're bothering me with the same question over and over.Me estás fastidiando con la misma pregunta una y otra vez.
c. dar lata a (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Your teacher told me you were bothering a little girl at school today.Tu maestra me dijo que le estabas dando lata a una niñita en la escuela hoy.
d. dar la lata a (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Hugo's trying to bother Rachel, but all he's doing is looking like a buffoon.Hugo está tratando de dar la lata a Rachel, pero lo único que logra es parecerse a un bufón.
e. darle la lata (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
I can't wait for that pest to move to Chicago so he'll stop bothering me.No veo la hora de que ese fastidioso se mude a Chicago para que deje de darme la lata.
2. (to concern)
a. preocupar
Does it bother you that your ex-wife is dating your childhood best friend?¿Te preocupa que tu exesposa esté saliendo con tu mejor amigo de la niñez?
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. molestarse
No, please don't bother with bringing a gift. Your presence is all that I want.No, por favor, no te molestes en traer un regalo. Tu presencia es lo único que quiero.
b. preocuparse por
She didn't bother to send a thank you note.No se preocupó por enviar una nota de agradecimiento.
c. tomarse la molestia
Don't bother with the dishes. I'll wash them.No te tomes la molestia de lavar los platos. Yo los lavaré.
A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
4. (annoyance)
a. la molestia (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Can I trouble you for a glass of water? - It's no bother at all.¿Puedo molestarte por un vaso de agua? - No es ninguna molestia en absoluto.
b. la lata (F) (colloquial)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
I love dogs, but it's such a bother to have to clean up after them.Me encantan los perros, pero es una lata tener que andar limpiando tras ellos.
c. los problemas (M) (United Kingdom)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
We ran into a bit of a bother downtown when we were caught in the rain without umbrellas.Nos vimos un poco en problemas en el centro cuando nos sorprendió la lluvia sin paraguas.
An interjection is a short utterance that expresses emotion, hesitation, or protest (e.g., Wow!).
a. ¡demonios!
Bother! It's already 8 pm and I have to do my homework, feed the dog, and mow the lawn.¡Demonios! Ya son las 8 pm y tengo que hacer mi tarea, dar de comer al perro y cortar el pasto.
trouble(
truh
-
buhl
)A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
1. (difficulty)
a. los problemas (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
I'm having trouble with my computer.Tengo problemas con mi computadora.
b. la dificultad (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
The trouble lies in the amount of resources needed.La dificultad reside en la cantidad de recursos necesarios.
2. (effort)
a. la molestia (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
It's a lot of trouble just to keep your brother happy.Es mucha molestia nada más para contentar a tu hermano.
3. (unrest)
a. los disturbios (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Trouble was about to begin when the police appeared.Iban a comenzar disturbios cuando apareció la policía.
b. el conflictos (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
The union is causing trouble in the company because a worker was unfairly fired.El sindicato está armando conflictos en la empresa por el despido improcedente de un trabajador.
4. (illness)
a. las problemas (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Very high blood pressure can cause vision trouble.La tensión muy alta puede causar problemas de vista.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
5. (to worry)
a. preocupar
Don't trouble your mother with your problems.No preocupes a tu madre con tus problemas.
a. molestar
I hate to trouble you, but I don't know who else to ask.Siento molestarte, pero no sé a quién pedírselo.
b. preocuparse por
Mom, don't trouble yourself making me dinner. I'm not hungry.Mamá, no te preocupes por hacerme la cena. No tengo hambre.
c. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Can I trouble you for a glass of water?¿Me regala un vaso de agua?
Sir, could I trouble you for a spoon?Señor, ¿me podría dar una cuchara?
7. (to afflict)
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. molestarse
There's no need to trouble. I'll fix it in the morning.No se moleste. Yo lo arreglo por la mañana.
