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provocación

pro-vo-kah-SYOHNpɾoβokaˈθjon

“provocación” means “provocation” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

provocation

Also: taunt, incitement
NounfB1
A small bird chirping loudly and flapping its wings directly in front of a large, grumpy cat's face.

📝 In Action

No respondas a sus insultos; es solo una provocación.

B1

Don't respond to their insults; it's just a provocation.

La policía consideró el gesto como una provocación innecesaria.

B2

The police considered the gesture an unnecessary provocation.

Ante tal provocación, fue difícil mantener la calma.

C1

In the face of such provocation, it was hard to stay calm.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • desafío (challenge)
  • incitación (incitement)

Antonyms

  • pacificación (pacification)
  • calma (calm)

Common Collocations

  • caer en la provocación – to take the bait / to fall for the provocation
  • una clara provocación – a clear provocation

Idioms & Expressions

  • ser una provocación – to be an insult or a slap in the face

provocativeness

Also: boldness
NounfB2
A person wearing a bright, sparkly red outfit walking confidently through a crowd of people in plain grey clothes.

📝 In Action

El artista busca la provocación para hacer pensar al público.

B2

The artist seeks to be provocative to make the audience think.

Su ropa era una provocación para la sociedad conservadora de la época.

C1

Their clothes were a challenge to the conservative society of the time.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • atrevimiento (boldness)
  • sensualidad (sensuality)

Common Collocations

  • buscar la provocación – to seek to provoke / to be controversial

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "provocación" in Spanish:

incitement→provocation→provocativeness→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: provocación

Question 1 of 3

Which of these is the correct way to say 'the provocation'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
provocar(to provoke) — Verb
provocador(provocative / person who provokes) — Adjective / Noun
provocativo(provocative (quality)) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
canciónemociónsensación
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin 'provocatio', which comes from 'pro-' (forward/forth) and 'vocare' (to call). Essentially, it means 'calling someone forth' to a fight or a reaction.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: provocationFrench: provocationItalian: provocazione

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'provocación' always a bad thing?

Not necessarily! In the context of art or social change, it can mean pushing boundaries to make people think. However, in personal relationships, it usually refers to trying to start an argument.

What is the plural of 'provocación'?

The plural is 'provocaciones'. Notice that when we add the plural ending, the accent mark on the 'o' disappears.

How do you say 'to provoke'?

The verb is 'provocar'. For example: 'No me provoques' means 'Don't provoke me'.