molestan

Molestan is the third-person plural present indicative form of the Spanish verb molestar. The verb means to bother, annoy, or disturb. In use, molestan refers to actions or things that affect multiple subjects, as in "Los ruidos molestan" (The noises bother [me]).

Grammar and usage: Molestar is a regular -ar verb. Full present tense for all persons is: molesto, molestas, molesta, molestamos, molestáis, molestan. Molestan is therefore used with plural subjects (ellos, ellas, ustedes). The indirect object pronoun indicates who is affected: "Me molestan las interrupciones" (The interruptions bother me). The phrase "Me molesta que..." introduces a clause with subjunctive, e.g., "Me molesta que llegues tarde" (It annoys me that you arrive late).

Translations and nuance: In English, molestar corresponds to "to bother" or "to annoy"; in some contexts it can also mean "to disturb" or "to trouble." Synonyms include incomodar, fastidiar, irritar. The noun form is molestia, meaning annoyance or nuisance.

Examples in context:

- "Los ruidos me molestan." (The noises bother me.)

- "¿Qué te molesta?" (What bothers you?)

- "No me molestan las críticas constructivas." (I am not bothered by constructive criticism.)

Etymology: Molestar comes from Latin molestare, related to molestus, meaning troublesome or burdensome. The term appears in many Romance languages with similar meanings.