vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Molestar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to bother", and "abusar" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to abuse". Learn more about the difference between "molestar" and "abusar" below.
molestar(
moh
-
lehs
-
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.
abusar(
ah
-
boo
-
sahr
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to abuse
Pedirle otro favor a Juan sería abusar de su confianza.Asking Juan for another favor would be to abuse his confidence.
b. to take advantage of
María abusa de sus influencias y un día le van a llamar la atención.Maria takes advantage of her contacts and one day she's going to get told off.
a. to sexually abuse
El hombre estuvo varios años en la cárcel por abusar de su amiga.The man was in jail for several years for sexually abusing his friend.
b. to rape
Los vecinos se sorprendieron al saber que aquel hombre había abusado de una chica.The neighbors were shocked to learn that that man had raped a girl.
c. to abuse
La detenida fue acusada de abusar de un empleado.The prisoner was accused of abusing an employee.
a. to make excessive use
El general abusa de su poder y maltrata a los soldados.The general makes excessive use of his power and mistreats his soldiers.
b. to take in excess
Lucas abusa de los somníferos en vez de buscar otro tipo de tratamiento.Lucas takes sleeping pills in excess instead of seeking other kinds of treatment.
abusarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
4. (colloquial) (to cross the line) (Latin America)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. to go too far
Te estás abusando al pedirme dinero prestado.You are going too far asking me to lend you money.
b. to take advantage
Miguel se está abusando con los favores que le hago.Miguel is taking advantage of the favors I do for him.
