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Both "molestaba" and "molesta" are forms of "molestar", which is often translated as "to bother". Learn more about "molestar" below.
molestar(
moh
-
lehs
-
tahr
)
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
transitive verb
a. to bother
¡Mami, Roberto me está molestando! ¡No me deja en paz!Mommy, Roberto is bothering me! He won't leave me alone!
b. to annoy
Me está molestando muchísimo ese ruido.That noise is annoying me no end.
a. to upset
Perdona si te han molestado mis comentarios.I am sorry if my comments have upset you.
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.).
intransitive verb
a. to hurt
A mi abuela le molestan los pies al andar.My grandmother's feet hurt when she walks.
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.).
pronominal verb
a. to get upset
No se moleste, ha sido sin querer.Don't get upset, I didn't do it on purpose.
b. to take offense
Regionalism used in the United States
(United States)
Mi suegra se molestó por mis comentarios.My mother-in-law took offense at my remarks.
c. to take offence
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
(United Kingdom)
No te molestes, pero no me gusta ese vestido.Don't take offence, but I don't like that dress.
a. to bother
No hace falta que se molesten en recogernos.You don't need to bother to pick us up.
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