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"Harass" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "hostigar", and "molest" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "abusar de". Learn more about the difference between "harass" and "molest" below.
harass(
huh
-
rahs
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. hostigar
My kids have been harassing me for weeks to take them to the zoo.Hace semanas que mi hijos están hostigándome para que los lleve al zoológico.
b. acosar (sexually)
He was accused of sexually harassing one of the waitresses.Lo acusaron de acosar sexualmente a una de las camareras.
2. (military)
a. hostigar
The militia has been harassing our supply trains.La milicia ha estado hostigando nuestros trenes de suministros.
molest(
muh
-
lehst
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. abusar de
Many parents were alarmed to find out that someone who had a history of molesting minors had moved into the neighborhood.Muchos padres se alarmaron al enterarse de que alguien que tenía historia de abusar de menores se había mudado al vecindario.
b. abusar sexualmente de
One of the teachers was fired when it came out that he had molested one of the students.Uno de los profesores fue despedido cuando se descubrió que había abusado sexualmente de uno de los alumnos.
2. (formal) (to bother)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).
a. molestar
The media has been molesting the actress any time she appears in public.La prensa ha estado molestando a la actriz cada vez que aparece en público.
b. importunar
If the police continue to molest my client, we will be forced to take legal action.Si la policía sigue importunando a mi cliente, nos veremos obligados a emprender acción jurídica.
