provoca
/pro-BOH-kah/
causes
The first domino falling 'provoca' or causes the rest to fall.
provoca(verb)
causes
?when one thing makes another thing happen
triggers
?starting a reaction
,provokes
?intentionally making someone angry or causing a fight
📝 In Action
El exceso de sal provoca sed.
A2Too much salt causes thirst.
Su actitud provoca muchos problemas en la oficina.
B1His attitude causes a lot of problems in the office.
💡 Grammar Points
Which 'Provoca' is it?
This word has two main jobs: it can mean 'he, she, or it causes,' or it can be a command telling someone 'Provoke!' or 'Cause!'
❌ Common Pitfalls
Don't only think 'Anger'
Mistake: "Using 'provoca' only when someone is being annoying."
Correction: In Spanish, 'provoca' is much more common for simply saying something 'results in' or 'causes' something else, like a medicine causing sleepiness.
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal and Informal
You can use this word in a science paper or while chatting with a friend; it fits in everywhere.
The delicious food 'provoca' or makes the person feel like eating it.
provoca(verb)
fancies / feels like
?when something looks so good you want to eat or do it
appeals to
?being tempting
📝 In Action
Me provoca un café caliente.
B1I really feel like a hot coffee.
¿No te provoca salir a caminar?
B1Don't you feel like going for a walk?
💡 Grammar Points
The 'Gustar' Pattern
In this meaning, the thing you want is the subject. 'Me provoca el chocolate' literally means 'The chocolate appeals to me.'
⭐ Usage Tips
Use it for cravings
If you see a delicious cake in a window in Colombia, say '¡Qué provoca!' to mean 'That looks tempting!'
🔄 Conjugations
subjunctive
imperfect
present
indicative
preterite
imperfect
present
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: provoca
Question 1 of 2
If you are in Venezuela and say 'Me provoca una arepa,' what are you saying?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'provoca' always negative?
No! While in English 'provoke' usually implies starting a fight, in Spanish it often just means 'to cause' something neutral, like rain causing wet streets.
How do I use 'provoca' as a command?
You can say '¡Provoca un cambio!' to mean 'Cause a change!' It is the informal (tú) command form.