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.
彼の発言は怒りを引き起こした。
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.
その政策は混乱を招いた。
The policy provoked chaos.
Formal/technical term for triggering or inducing something, often used in medical or scientific contexts.
ストレスが病気を誘発することがある。
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.
彼はわざと私を挑発した。
He deliberately provoked me.
Literally 'to make angry'. More direct and less formal than 挑発する. Common in everyday speech.
彼の冗談が彼女を怒らせた。
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.
彼の言葉が彼女の好奇心を刺激した。
His words provoked her curiosity.
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.
彼は群衆を扇動して暴動を起こさせた。
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.
怒りが彼を復讐に駆り立てた。
Anger provoked him to seek revenge.
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.
Literally 'make one think'. A natural way to say something provokes thought.
その映画は深く考えさせられた。
The movie really provoked thought.
To provoke debate or controversy. Common in news and formal contexts.
その発言は大きな議論を呼んだ。
The statement provoked a lot of discussion.
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.
彼のスピーチは聴衆から強い反応を引き起こした。
His speech provoked a strong reaction from the audience.
犬を挑発しないで。
Don't provoke the dog.
友達にそそのかされて万引きをした。
He was provoked by his friend into shoplifting.