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How to Say "provoked" in Spanish

English → Spanish

provocado

/pro-bo-KAH-do//pɾoβoˈkaðo/

verbA2general
Use this when 'provoked' means having annoyed, challenged, or stirred up a discussion or argument with someone.
A small green sprout growing out of a cracked seed in rich brown soil.

Examples

Su comentario ha provocado mucha discusión.

His comment has provoked a lot of discussion.

Tú lo habías provocado antes de la pelea.

You had provoked him before the fight.

Talking about the Past

Use 'provocado' after the verb 'haber' (like 'he', 'has', 'ha') to say you have 'caused' or 'provoked' something. In this case, 'provocado' never changes its ending.

Spelling Change

When conjugating the root verb, the 'c' changes to 'qu' (provoqué, provoque) to keep the hard 'K' sound before the letter 'e'.

provocó

verbB1general
Use this when 'provoked' means something (like an event or action) incited a specific reaction or consequence, especially a negative one like damage.

Examples

La tormenta provocó muchos daños en el pueblo.

The storm caused (provoked) a lot of damage in the town.

causó

verbB1general
Use this when 'provoked' means something generally caused an effect or damage, without necessarily implying intent to annoy or incite.

Examples

La tormenta causó daños significativos en la costa.

The storm caused significant damage along the coast.

Caused vs. Provoked

Learners often confuse 'causó' and 'provocó' when translating 'provoked' as 'caused damage'. 'Causó' is a more neutral term for causing an effect, while 'provocó' can imply a stronger, more direct incitement of that effect or reaction.

Related Translations

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