Estorbar

Sat, Jan 30, 2016

Estorbar is one of those verbs that is usually handled in English via a preposition phrase: in the way. For this reason it's worth a little extra attention here. Here are some examples I've scribbled down:

As you can see, the blockage referred to needn't be physical. No estorbas could mean either you aren't physically in the way or it could mean your presence here is welcome, you're not a burden (as a houseguest, for example), depending on the context.

By extension, un estorboso would be someone who is in the way or who gets in the way. By the way, an unwanted person in the background of your photo is a colado, a word that also works for a party-crasher, an uninvited guest.

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