Provokovat

Provokovat is a Czech verb meaning to provoke, incite, or stimulate a reaction in someone or something. It can denote causing an emotional response, a debate, or a thought, and its tone can be neutral or pejorative depending on context. In everyday language it describes deliberately eliciting a reaction, for example by challenging opinions or behaviors. It can also refer to provoking discussion or critical thinking in academic or artistic contexts.

Etymology: The verb is a loanword in Czech, with cognates in many languages, including German provokieren, English provoke, and French provoquer. It ultimately derives from Latin provocare, meaning to call forth or challenge.

Usage and syntax: Provokovat is a transitive verb and typically governs a direct object, for example provokovat někoho (to provoke someone) or provokovat diskusi (to provoke a discussion). It can be combined with the preposition k plus infinitive to express provoking someone to do something (provokovat někoho k činu). Related nouns include provokace (provocation); adjectives like provokativní (provocative); and agents like provokátor (provoker).

Examples: “Jeho projev provokoval diskusi o tématech tabu.” “Nové otázky provokují čtenáře k zamyšlení.” “Politici se občas snaží provokovat nepokoje.”

See also: Provokace, Provokativní, Provokátor.