molestia
nounCEFR B2
What does “molestia” mean in English?
nuisance, annoyance — something that causes inconvenience or irritation
nuisance, annoyance — something that causes inconvenience or irritation (causar una molestia; perdona la molestia)
Example sentences
El ruido constante de las obras vecinas supone una molestia para los residentes que trabajan desde casa.
The constant noise of nearby construction is a nuisance for residents working from home.
Perdona la molestia, pero necesito tu firma en este documento antes de que cierren la oficina.
Sorry to bother you, but I need your signature on this document before the office closes.
Ni siquiera se tomó la molestia de llamar para disculparse después del malentendido.
He didn't even go to the trouble of calling to apologise after the misunderstanding.
How to use it
La molestia (noun, feminine) means 'nuisance', 'annoyance', or 'bother' — something that causes inconvenience or mild irritation. Key collocations: causar una molestia; perdona la molestia; sin molestia; molestia física (physical discomfort); tomarse la molestia de (to go to the trouble of). Distinguish from problema (a concrete problem with a solution) and obstáculo (a barrier to progress). Tomarse la molestia de + infinitive is a polite fixed expression.
Common mistake
Molestia (mild inconvenience) ≠ problema (a problem). Tomarse la molestia de = to go to the trouble of (polite or ironic). Perdona la molestia = sorry for the inconvenience (written and spoken). Molestar = to bother/annoy (verb). 'A nuisance' = una molestia; 'to be a nuisance' = ser una molestia or molestar.