What is bothering you?

[laepelba]

If I want to ask someone "What is bothering you?" Would it be something like "¿Qué molestate?" ??

[chileno]

Originally Posted by laepelba

If I want to ask someone "What is bothering you?" Would it be something like "¿Qué molestate?" ??

¿Qué te molesta? o ¿Qué te está molestando?

[laepelba]

Thanks, Hernan! A couple more follow-up questions:

- Is this a common usage (molestar in this situation), or did I completely choose the wrong verb?
- When do I, and when do I NOT attach the object pronoun to the end of the verb? Why "te molesta" and not "molestate"???

[chileno]

Originally Posted by laepelba

Thanks, Hernan! A couple more follow-up questions:

- Is this a common usage (molestar in this situation), or did I completely choose the wrong verb?
- When do I, and when do I NOT attach the object pronoun to the end of the verb? Why "te molesta" and not "molestate molestarte"???

Does it bother you? - ¿Te molesta?

You do not have to get bothered by it.- No tienes que molestarte por eso.

Why bother? - ¿Por qué molestarse?

Do not bother me - No me molestes.

Do not bother - No molestes.

[laepelba]

Thanks for those examples!

So, back to my other questions ......

- If a friend looks upset, is "molestar" the verb of choice?
- Do you only attach the object pronoun to the infinitive? Or can you also attach it to a conjugated verb? And how do you know when to attach it and when not to attach it?

[poli]

Originally Posted by laepelba

Thanks for those examples!

So, back to my other questions ......

- If a friend looks upset, is "molestar" the verb of choice?
- Do you only attach the object pronoun to the infinitive? Or can you also attach it to a conjugated verb? And how do you know when to attach it and when not to attach it?

-Molestar is a good choice, but not the only choice. ¿Que tienes? is more
common.¿Que pasó?
-You attach the pronoun when you use imperatives (levántate- get up)
Also in the present progress tense ('ing words estoy recordándola)

[chileno]

Originally Posted by laepelba

Thanks for those examples!

So, back to my other questions ......

- Do you only attach the object pronoun to the infinitive? Or can you also attach it to a conjugated verb? And how do you know when to attach it and when not to attach it?

You are talking to the wrong person as far as grammar is concerned... :-)

I remember the names and more or les know some of the terms, however I do not know the theory behind it.

If a friend looks upset, is "molestar" the verb of choice?

If that is the case you can say:

Why do you look bothered? ¿Por qué te ves molesto? or ¿Por qué estás molesto?

What does it bother you? or What is bothering you?

¿Qué te molesta? o ¿Qué te está molestando?

I hope it helps you. I know it sounds bad to say that I do not know my own grammar nor English grammar. I may not be a writer, but... however I can manage, in both languages, verbally, written and spoken.

[Tomisimo]

Another verb for "to bother" could also be "preocupar", etc.

What's bothering you?
¿Qué te molesta?
¿Qué te está preocupando?
¿Qué te inquieta?

[laepelba]

Okay - THANKS, all!

[chileno]

Originally Posted by Tomisimo

Another verb for "to bother" could also be "preocupar", etc.

What's bothering you?
¿Qué te molesta?
¿Qué te está preocupando?
¿Qué te inquieta?

Right. I forgot about that, it is how it is used.

Although, bother = molestar and preoccupy = preocupar.

[Elaina]

Sometimes just saying...

¿Qué te pasa?
- When you don't know that there is something bothering the person. You just know something is wrong.

Or

¿Qué te pasa? ¿Hay algo que te está molestando/preocupando?

I find that using the above phrases and a soft, caring touch in the shoulder or arm makes people open up without saying much else.

[chileno]

Originally Posted by Elaina

Sometimes just saying...

¿Qué te pasa?
- When you don't know that there is something bothering the person. You just know something is wrong.

Or

¿Qué te pasa? ¿Hay algo que te está molestando/preocupando?

I find that using the above phrases and a soft, caring touch in the shoulder or arm makes people open up without saying much else.

It always work!

Although, in the shelter I used to work at, we were advised to not touch the people...

[Rusty]

Elaina and I are on the same wavelength - I had written the same thing but held off posting it to see what Elaina was posting.

[chileno]

Originally Posted by Rusty

Elaina and I are on the same wavelength - I had written the same thing but held off posting it to see what Elaina was posting.

Hi Rusty,

Probably it was me, but I had not seen your posts and I was missing you...

Although, everybody's POV is valuable.