molèsties

Molèsties is a Catalan noun (feminine; plural molèsties) that designates annoyances, troubles, nuisances, or discomfort. It is used for both physical discomfort and non-physical inconveniences, such as complications, interruptions, or bothersome circumstances.

Etymology: Molèsties derives from Latin molestia, via the Romance language family. It is cognate with Spanish molestia and Italian molestia, reflecting a common root meaning nuisance or trouble. In Catalan, the singular molèstia covers a single irritant, while molèsties refers to multiple or ongoing annoyances or discomforts.

Usage: In everyday Catalan, molèsties indicates minor or moderate irritations, without implying serious harm. It can refer to bodily discomfort (for example, throat or stomach discomfort) or to external irritants (noise, delays, bureaucratic hurdles). Examples: “El soroll nocturn és una molèstia per als veïns.” “Tinc molèsties d’estómac després de menjar pesat.” “Les molèsties burocràtiques poden retardar la tramitació.” The term carries a neutral sense of nuisance rather than a severe problem.

Cross-linguistic notes: Cognates exist in other Romance languages—Spanish molestia, Italian molestia, with related senses in English such as nuisance or discomfort. In usage, molèsties often refers to everyday irritants or mild discomfort rather than acute illness or harm.