Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'provoke'

English Word: provoke

Key Russian Translations:

• провоцировать [prɐvɐ't͡sɨrəvətʲ] - [Formal; often used in contexts involving intentional incitement]
• вызывать [vɨ'zɨvətʲ] - [General; more neutral and versatile]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in discussions, media, and literature, but not as everyday as basic verbs)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; involves understanding verb conjugations and nuances, which may vary by context; for 'провоцировать', it's B2 due to irregular aspects, while 'вызывать' is also B2 for similar reasons)

Pronunciation (Russian):

провоцировать: [prɐvɐ't͡sɨrəvətʲ]

Note on провоцировать: The stress falls on the fourth syllable ('t͡sɨ'), which can be tricky for learners; it often softens in casual speech.

вызывать: [vɨ'zɨvətʲ]

Note on вызывать: The initial 'в' is pronounced as a voiced labiodental fricative; common in imperfective forms.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To cause anger or resentment

Translation(s) & Context:

• провоцировать - Used in formal or heated discussions, such as politics or conflicts, to imply deliberate action.
• вызывать - Applied in everyday contexts to describe evoking emotions without strong intent.

Usage Examples:

• Его провокационные замечания провоцировали гнев в аудитории.

  His provocative remarks provoked anger in the audience.

• Эта новость может вызвать раздражение среди местных жителей.

  This news might provoke irritation among local residents.

• Политик часто провоцирует дебаты, чтобы привлечь внимание.

  The politician often provokes debates to draw attention.

• Его слова вызывают негодование, но не всегда агрессию.

  His words provoke indignation but not always aggression.

• В фильме герой провоцирует конфликт, чтобы защитить друзей.

  In the film, the hero provokes a conflict to protect his friends.

To incite or stimulate (e.g., an action or response)

Translation(s) & Context:

• провоцировать - Often in strategic or manipulative contexts, like in psychology or negotiations.
• вызывать - Used for more neutral stimulation, such as in scientific or everyday scenarios.

Usage Examples:

• Реклама предназначена для того, чтобы провоцировать интерес к продукту.

  The advertisement is meant to provoke interest in the product.

• Эксперимент может вызвать реакцию, которую мы не предвидели.

  The experiment might provoke a reaction that we didn't foresee.

• Её речь провоцировала аудиторию к действию.

  Her speech provoked the audience to action.

• Это событие вызвало волну протестов по всей стране.

  This event provoked a wave of protests across the country.

• Книга провоцирует размышления о морали и этике.

  The book provokes thoughts on morality and ethics.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'провоцировать' and 'вызывать' are imperfective verbs in Russian, which means they describe ongoing or repeated actions. They follow standard conjugation patterns for first-conjugation verbs but have aspectual variations. 'Провоцировать' is often paired with its perfective counterpart 'провоцировать' (though it's the same form in some cases), while 'вызывать' pairs with 'вызвать'.

Note: These verbs do not change in a highly irregular way, but aspect (imperfective vs. perfective) must be chosen based on context.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: раздражать (implies irritation more directly), стимулировать (to stimulate)
• Antonyms: успокаивать (to calm, often used in opposition to provocation in emotional contexts)

Related Phrases:

• провоцировать конфликт - To provoke a conflict; commonly used in diplomatic or social discussions.
• вызывать интерес - To provoke interest; a neutral phrase for sparking curiosity in educational or marketing contexts.
• провоцировать реакцию - To provoke a reaction; implies eliciting a response, often in media or psychology.

Usage Notes:

'Провоцировать' closely mirrors the English 'provoke' in implying intentional or aggressive action, making it ideal for formal contexts like legal or political discussions. In contrast, 'вызывать' is more versatile and neutral, similar to 'to cause' or 'to evoke', and is preferred in everyday speech. Be mindful of aspect: use imperfective for ongoing actions and perfective (e.g., 'вызвать') for completed ones. When choosing between translations, opt for 'провоцировать' if intent is key, but 'вызывать' for broader applications. Grammatically, both verbs require agreement with the subject in person and number.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'провоцировать' interchangeably with 'вызывать' without considering nuance. For example, learners might say "Это фильм провоцирует смех" when meaning a light-hearted film, but this sounds overly dramatic. Correct: "Это фильм вызывает смех" (This film provokes laughter in a neutral way). Explanation: 'Провоцировать' suggests provocation, which can imply negativity, while 'вызывать' is milder.

• Error: Incorrect conjugation, e.g., saying "Я провоцируюет" instead of "Я провоцирую". Correct: Always ensure the verb ends with the proper suffix based on person (e.g., -ю for first person singular). Explanation: This stems from unfamiliarity with Russian verb endings, which differ from English patterns.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'провоцировать' often carry connotations from historical events, such as Cold War-era propaganda or modern political rhetoric, where provocation is seen as a tool for manipulation. This can add a layer of intensity to its usage, reflecting Russia's emphasis on directness in communication.

Related Concepts:

• агрессия (aggression)
• конфликт (conflict)
• стимул (stimulus)