provocar

Provocar is a Spanish verb that means to provoke, to cause, or to trigger a reaction or event. It is used both in literal senses, such as causing a physical effect, and in figurative senses, such as eliciting feelings, responses, or controversies. The verb is transitive and commonly takes a direct object (provocar algo) or a reflexive construction to indicate an effect on oneself or on others (provocarse algo; provocarse una situación).

Etymology and cognates: Provocar comes from Latin provocare, formed from pro- meaning forward and vocare meaning to call. It is cognate with the English provoke and with related forms in other Romance languages, such as provocar in Spanish, provoquer in French.

Usage notes: Provocar often implies intentionality or designed influence, framing the action as something that brings about a result rather than a neutral occurrence. It can describe physical outcomes (provocar un incendio), emotional or social effects (provocar miedo, provocar una discusión), or actions aimed at rousing a response (provocar a alguien). In many contexts, more specialized verbs such as incitar, inducir, or provocar can be chosen to emphasize manipulation, motivation, or causation, depending on nuance.

Conjugation and forms: Provocar is a regular -ar verb with standard present, imperfect, and past tenses, plus subjunctive and imperative forms. Present: provoco, provocas, provoca, provocamos, provocáis, provocan. Imperfect: provocaba, provocabas, provocaba, provocábamos, provocabais, provocaban. Preterite forms include provocaste, provocó, provocaron. Subjunctive present: provoque, provoques, provoque, provoquemos, provoquéis, provoquen. Imperative: provoca, provoque, provoquemos, provocad, provoquen.

See also: Provocation, provocación; provocador/provocadora. These terms are related nouns and adjectives that describe the act, effect, or agent of provoking as a deliberate or provocative action.