Translation guide
The English verb "provoke" covers a range of meanings from causing a reaction or emotion to deliberately inciting anger or conflict. This guide organizes Japanese expressions by the intended meaning and context.
To cause a particular reaction or feeling, especially a negative one, such as anger, criticism, or laughter.
General term for causing something to happen, often used for events, emotions, or reactions. Neutral in tone.
His remarks provoked anger.
Implies inviting or bringing about a (usually negative) result, often due to one's own actions. Common in written and formal contexts.
The policy provoked chaos.
Formal/technical term for triggering or inducing something, often used in medical or scientific contexts.
Stress can provoke illness.
To intentionally annoy or anger someone, often by saying or doing something.
Direct equivalent for deliberate provocation, often with a confrontational nuance. Used in contexts like sports, arguments, or political acts.
He deliberately provoked me.
Literally 'to make angry'. More direct and less formal than 挑発する. Common in everyday speech.
His joke provoked her (made her angry).
Means 'to stimulate' or 'to provoke' in a broader sense. Can be used for provoking a reaction, but less specifically about anger.
To encourage or stir up someone to do something, especially something violent or unlawful.
To incite or agitate, often used for political or social unrest. Implies stirring up a group.
He provoked the crowd into rioting.
To drive or spur someone to action, often with a strong emotional impulse. Can be used for both positive and negative actions.
To tempt or entice someone into doing something bad or unwise. Often used for personal manipulation.
To stimulate thinking, debate, or a particular mental response.
English 'provoke' is often used in patterns like 'provoke someone to do something' or 'provoke a reaction'. Japanese does not have a single verb that covers all these uses naturally. Choose the expression based on the specific meaning.
挑発する (chōhatsu suru) implies a deliberate, often confrontational act to get a reaction, while 怒らせる (okoraseru) simply means 'to make someone angry', which can be unintentional. Use 挑発する for intentional provocation in serious contexts.
His speech provoked a strong reaction from the audience.
Don't provoke the dog.
His words provoked her curiosity.
Anger provoked him to seek revenge.
He was provoked by his friend into shoplifting.