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"Interesar" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to interest", and "molestar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to bother". Learn more about the difference between "interesar" and "molestar" below.
interesar(
een
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teh
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reh
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sahr
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to interest
¿De verdad crees que esta película les interesa a los alumnos?Do you really think this movie will interest the students?
b. to be of interest
El proyecto seguramente interesará a los inversionistas.The project will certainly be of interest to the investors.
2. (to affect)
a. to concern
Las decisiones de la presidente nos interesan a todos.The president's decisions concern us all.
a. to be of interest
Interesaría realizar una investigación más detallada del caso.It would be of interest to conduct further research on the case.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to interest in
El vendedor nos interesó en la casa en venta.The salesman interested us in the house on sale.
b. to get interested in
Tenemos que tratar de interesar a los niños en el deporte.We've got to try to get kids interested in sports.
interesarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to be interested in
El comité se interesó mucho en mi propuesta.The committee was very interested in my proposal.
b. to take interest in
La maestra espera que, con su dinámica, sus alumnos se interesen en la clase.The teacher hopes that, with her dynamism, her students take an interest in the class.
c. to take an interest in
Se interesó por el jazz gitano luego de leer sobre el guitarrista Django Reinhardt.He took an interest in gypsy jazz after reading about Django Reinhardt's history.
a. to ask about
Los amigos de Julia se interesaron por su salud.Julia's friends asked about her health.
b. to inquire about
Hasta ahora, nadie en la empresa se ha interesado por mi bienestar.Nobody in the company has yet inquired about my welfare.
molestar(
moh
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lehs
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tahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to irk)
2. (to offend)
a. to disturb
Disculpe que le moleste, pero ¿ya terminó?Sorry to disturb you, but have you finished yet?
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
5. (to pester)
a. to disturb
Puse el cartel en la puerta para que no molesten por la mañana.I put the sign on the door so that they don't disturb us in the morning.
a. to be a nuisance
Amo mi nuevo cachorro aunque siempre anda molestando y haciendo un reguero.I love my new puppy even though he's always being a nuisance and making a mess.
molestarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
b. to take offense (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Mi suegra se molestó por mis comentarios.My mother-in-law took offense at my remarks.
c. to take offence (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
No te molestes, pero no me gusta ese vestido.Don't take offence, but I don't like that dress.
