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"Molestar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to bother", and "hostigar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to pester". Learn more about the difference between "molestar" and "hostigar" 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.
hostigar(
ohs
-
tee
-
gahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to annoy)
a. to pester
¡Deja de hostigarme con tus preguntas!Stop pestering me with your questions!
El asistente de la actriz les pidió a los paparazzi que la dejaran de hostigar.The actress's assistant asked the paparazzi to stop pestering her.
b. to bother
Mis padres me cambiaron de escuela porque mis compañeros de clase me hostigaban por usar anteojos.My parents sent me to another school because my classmates bothered me for wearing glasses.
c. to plague
Diego me hostiga constantemente en relación con el dinero que le debo.Diego plagues me constantly about the money I owe him.
2. (military)
a. to harass
El enemigo nos hostigó con una serie de ataques de guerrillas.The enemy harassed us with a series of guerrilla attacks.
3. (to lash)
a. to whip
El vaquero hostigaba al caballo con su fusta para que fuera más rápido.The cowboy whipped his horse with his crop to go faster.
a. to be cloying to
La miel me hostiga, así que no voy a echarle al té.Honey is cloying to me, so I'm not going to add it to my tea.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to be sickly sweet
No puedo comer más. Este pastel de chocolate hostiga demasiado.I can't eat any more. This chocolate cake is sickly sweet.
