1 (bother) [+person, animal] molestarplease do not disturb se ruega no molestar
sorry to disturb you perdona la molestia; try not to disturb Joseph, he's asleep intenta no despertar a Joseph, está durmiendo
a stray dog had been disturbing the sheep don't disturb yourself! cats don't like to be disturbed while they are with their kittens you should never disturb an animal when it is eating
2 (interrupt) [+order, balance] alterar; [+meeting, sleep] interrumpir; [+silence] romper a car alarm disturbed her sleep una alarma de coche interrumpió su sueño or la despertó; to disturb the peace (Jur) alterar el orden público; they disturbed a burglar breaking into their house sorprendieron a un ladrón que estaba intentando entrar en su casa; her constant questions disturbed his concentration sus constantes preguntas le impedían concentrarse
the sudden sound of shouting disturbed the silence the slightest jolt can disturb the balance of the machine it's important to have at least a little time every day when your peace is not disturbed by phone calls
3 (worry) preocupar; (upset) afectar the news disturbed him greatly la noticia le preocupó enormemente; the photos of the war victims disturbed her las fotos de las víctimas de guerra la afectaron
4 (disarrange) [+papers] desordenar; [+water, sediment] agitar somebody had been in her room and disturbed her things alguien había estado en su cuarto y había revuelto sus cosas; the police asked if anything had been disturbed la policía preguntó si había algo fuera de su sitio
a speedboat passed by, disturbing the previously calm waters she disturbed the sand at the bottom of the tank with a stick
