provocó

pro-bo-KOHpɾoβoˈko

“provocó” means “caused” in Spanish (to make something happen).

caused, triggered

Also: provoked

VerbB1regular (with spelling change in other forms) ar

Colombia and Venezuela

A finger pushing the first domino in a long row of colorful dominoes, causing them to fall one by one.

gerundprovocando

past Participleprovocado

infinitiveprovocar

📝 In Action

La tormenta provocó muchos daños en el pueblo.

The storm caused a lot of damage in the town.

Su comentario provocó una risa general.

His comment triggered general laughter.

Word Connections

Synonyms

causó (caused)
originó (originated/started)

Antonyms

evitó (avoided)
frenó (stopped/curbed)

Common Collocations

provocó una reacción – triggered a reaction
provocó un incendio – caused a fire

Subjunctive

Imperfect Subjunctive

yoprovocara

túprovocaras

él/ella/ustedprovocara

nosotrosprovocáramos

vosotrosprovocarais

ellos/ellas/ustedesprovocaran

Present Subjunctive

yoprovoque

túprovoques

él/ella/ustedprovoque

nosotrosprovoquemos

vosotrosprovoquéis

ellos/ellas/ustedesprovoquen

Indicative

Preterite

yoprovoqué

túprovocaste

él/ella/ustedprovocó

nosotrosprovocamos

vosotrosprovocasteis

ellos/ellas/ustedesprovocaron

Imperfect

yoprovocaba

túprovocabas

él/ella/ustedprovocaba

nosotrosprovocábamos

vosotrosprovocabais

ellos/ellas/ustedesprovocaban

Present

yoprovoco

túprovocas

él/ella/ustedprovoca

nosotrosprovocamos

vosotrosprovocáis

ellos/ellas/ustedesprovocan

View All Tenses & Moods →

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: provocó

Question 1 of 1

If you say 'La música provocó nostalgia,' what happened?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼

provocar(to provoke/to cause) — Verb

provocación(provocation) — Noun

provocador(provocative/troublemaker) — Adjective

🎵 Rhymes▼

llamócomióbuscó

📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin word 'provocare', which means 'to call forth' or 'to challenge'. It combines 'pro-' (forth) and 'vocare' (to call).

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: provokedFrench: provoqué

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'provoco' and 'provocó'?

'Provoco' (no accent) means 'I provoke' right now. 'Provocó' (with the accent) means 'he, she, or it provoked' in the past.

Can 'provocó' be used for positive things?

Yes! While often used for accidents or fights, it can also describe triggering positive things like laughter, joy, or interest.