provocation
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provocation
An action or statement that deliberately aims to annoy someone, make them angry, or provoke a particular reaction.
Seine Bemerkung war eine reine Provokation, um einen Streit anzufangen.
His comment was pure provocation, meant to start an argument.
The noun 'Provokation' (provocation) is derived directly from the verb 'provozieren' (to provoke). The ending '-ation' is typical in German for nouns that describe an action or process expressed by the corresponding verb.
Er lässt sich nicht provozieren.
He doesn't let himself be provoked.
Common adjectives are 'gezielte' (targeted), 'bewusste' (deliberate), or 'offene Provokation' (open provocation). Typical verbs are 'auf eine Provokation reagieren' (to react to a provocation) or 'sich auf eine Provokation nicht einlassen' (not to get drawn into a provocation).
Das war eine gezielte Provokation, um ihn zu einer Reaktion zu zwingen.
That was a targeted provocation to force him into a reaction.
The structure 'etwas als Provokation ansehen' (to see something as a provocation) or 'etwas als Provokation empfinden' (to perceive something as a provocation) is often used. This describes the subjective perception of an action.
Sie empfand seine Frage als persönliche Provokation.
She perceived his question as a personal provocation.
You can clearly recognize the medical meaning from the context. If doctors, tests, allergies, or diagnoses are being discussed, it means the deliberate triggering of symptoms.
Die Provokation mit Pollen führte zu einer starken allergischen Reaktion.
The provocation with pollen led to a strong allergic reaction.
invitation
'die Einladung' and 'die Provokation' can both describe something that triggers or encourages a reaction. In this meaning, 'Einladung' is usually figurative: a situation makes a certain behavior easy or likely. 'Provokation', by contrast, is an action or statement meant to deliberately annoy someone or provoke a reaction. The words can be confused because both have to do with triggering something. The important difference is intention: with 'Provokation', someone often consciously wants to provoke; with 'Einladung', an opportunity may simply arise.
Sein lauter Kommentar im Meeting war eine klare Provokation.
His loud comment in the meeting was a clear provocation.
Ein teures Fahrrad ohne Schloss ist fast eine Einladung zum Diebstahl.
An expensive bicycle without a lock is almost an invitation to theft.