Spanish word of the day: Molestia

What does molestia mean?

Molestia (feminine noun) — A feeling of discomfort, annoyance, or inconvenience, which can describe both physical pain and the emotional state of being bothered or troubled by something or someone.

Example sentences with molestia

• No es ninguna molestia llevarte a la estación, sube.

  🚗 It's no bother to take you to the station. Jump in.

• Tengo una molestia en el hombro derecho desde que me caí por las escaleras.

  🫠 I've had a pain in my right shoulder since I fell down the stairs.

• Disculpen la molestia, pero tendrán que esperar afuera.

  🕰️ We apologize for the inconvenience, but you will have to wait outside.

Molestia in context

“Molestia“ a go-to term for describing minor physical ailments, like a slight headache or muscle pain, where using "dolor" (pain) might seem too intense. In social situations, it's incredibly handy for polite interactions - saying "No es molestia" (It's no bother) is a gracious way to respond when someone thanks you for a favor.

One important nuance is that molestia can vary in intensity depending on context; it might refer to a minor annoyance in one situation or a more significant disturbance in another. In customer service contexts, you'll often hear "Disculpe las molestias" (Sorry for the inconvenience), which has become almost a stock phrase.