provocation

Compared meaning: something that causes anger or annoyance (noun).

比较义项：引起愤怒或不快的事物（名词）。

• irritation

  Refers to a minor, often unintentional or ongoing source of annoyance — a sound, habit, or situation that bothers someone without deliberate intent; milder and more everyday than provocation.

  指轻微、往往是无意或持续存在的烦扰之源——某种声音、习惯或情况使人不快，并非蓄意针对某人；语气比provocation更温和、更日常。

  The dripping faucet was a constant irritation, though no one meant to annoy her.

  滴水的水龙头一直让她感到心烦，尽管没有人是故意惹她生气的。

• provocation 本词

  Refers to a deliberate word or act meant to anger or incite someone into reacting, implying intent and often interpersonal conflict; stronger and more pointed than irritation.

  指蓄意说出或做出、意在激怒或刺激某人做出反应的言行，带有故意的意味，常见于人际冲突；语气比irritation更强烈、更具针对性。

  His snide remark was a deliberate provocation, meant to start an argument.

  他那句挖苦的话是蓄意的挑衅，就是想挑起争执。

Irritation and provocation both mean something that causes anger. Irritation is usually a minor, unintentional, ongoing bother, like a sound or habit. Provocation is a deliberate word or act meant to make someone react, implying intent. Irritation's other sense, the feeling itself, is not compared.

这两个词都可以指让人生气或不快的事物或言行，但irritation通常是较轻微、无意的持续烦扰源，而provocation强调蓄意挑起对方反应的言行，语气更强烈、更具针对性。这里不比较irritation表示“恼怒情绪本身”的用法。