Translation guide
To cause an event or situation to happen, often by urging or provoking someone to act. In Japanese, the expression depends on whether you are inciting a person, triggering an incident, or prompting a process.
To encourage or push someone to take action, especially something bad or rash.
To tempt or coax someone into doing something wrong or unwise. Often used for personal influence.
友達にそそのかされて万引きした。
I was instigated by a friend to shoplift.
To egg someone on, to set someone on another. Implies active provocation, like setting a dog on someone.
彼は弟をけしかけて喧嘩させた。
He instigated his younger brother to start a fight.
To incite or agitate a group, often for political or social action. More formal and large-scale.
彼の演説が群衆を扇動した。
His speech instigated the crowd.
Literally 'to kindle', figuratively to stir up someone's emotions or actions. Strong nuance of fueling a fire.
彼女は彼の嫉妬心を焚き付けた。
She instigated his jealousy.
To bring about an incident, conflict, or process, often deliberately.
To cause or trigger an event, often negative like a problem or accident. Broadly used.
彼の一言が大論争を引き起こした。
His single remark instigated a huge controversy.
To induce or trigger something, often a reaction or symptom. Slightly formal.
その政策が暴動を誘発した。
The policy instigated a riot.
To maneuver or lead someone/something into a situation. Implies subtle manipulation.
Formal term for causing or provoking an event, often used in legal or academic contexts.
その発言が混乱を惹起した。
The statement instigated confusion.
To start something, often with a neutral or positive connotation, like an investigation or change.
To prompt, urge, or encourage an action or decision. Often used for positive or neutral instigation.
彼の提案が改革を促した。
His proposal instigated reform.
To create an opportunity or trigger for something to start. Common in everyday speech.
彼の一言が和解のきっかけを作った。
His remark instigated the reconciliation.
Literary phrase meaning to open the way or initiate something significant.
その発見が新研究の端緒を開いた。
The discovery instigated new research.
English 'instigate' often implies a negative, deliberate act. In Japanese, using 引き起こす for accidents may sound neutral, while そそのかす always implies bad intent. Choose based on the agent's intention and the nature of the outcome.
そそのかす is for personal, one-on-one temptation, often among friends or peers. 扇動する is for inciting masses, like in political rallies or protests. Do not use 扇動する for small-scale personal influence.
彼は彼女が辞職するように仕向けた。
He instigated her resignation.