At the A1 level, you should think of 'गूंजना' (goonjna) as a word for loud sounds that fill a space. Imagine a big bell in a temple. When it rings, the sound doesn't just stop; it stays in the air for a little while. That is 'goonjna'. At this stage, you only need to know how to use it in very simple sentences. For example, 'The bell is echoing' or 'The room is echoing'. You can use it to describe empty houses or loud noises. Remember that in Hindi, we don't say 'I echo'; we say 'The sound echoes'. The sound is the boss of the sentence. It's a fun word to say because of the 'oo' sound in the middle, which almost sounds like an echo itself! Just focus on the physical sound you hear in a large hall or a valley. If you hear a sound more than once because it's bouncing off walls, you can use this word. It's an important word for describing the world around you, especially in India where there are many loud and resonant sounds like temple bells and street calls.
At the A2 level, you can start using 'गूंजना' to describe more specific situations. You should be able to use it in different tenses, like the past ('The sound echoed') and the future ('The sound will echo'). You will notice that 'गूंजना' is often used with the word 'आवाज़' (voice/sound) or 'शोर' (noise). A key thing to learn at this level is gender agreement. If you are talking about 'आवाज़' (feminine), you say 'गूंज रही है'. If you are talking about 'शोर' (masculine), you say 'गूंज रहा है'. You can also use it to describe the feeling of a place. For example, 'The house is echoing because it is empty.' This helps you add more detail to your descriptions of places. You might also encounter the compound verb 'गूंज उठना', which means the echoing started suddenly. For example, 'The classroom echoed with laughter'. Using 'गूंज उठना' makes your Hindi sound more natural and dynamic. Practice using it when you talk about your environment, like a park, a school, or a large building.
At the B1 level, you should begin to use 'गूंजना' in metaphorical ways. It's not just for physical sounds anymore. You can use it to talk about fame, ideas, or persistent thoughts. For example, 'His name is echoing in the whole city' (meaning he is very famous right now). Or, 'Her words are still echoing in my heart.' This level of usage shows that you understand the deeper, more emotional side of the language. You can also use it to describe social atmosphere. If there is a big protest, you can say the slogans are 'echoing' through the streets. You should also be comfortable using it in complex sentences with conjunctions like 'क्योंकि' (because) or 'जब' (when). For instance, 'When the singer started, the whole hall echoed with music.' At B1, you are moving beyond simple descriptions and starting to tell stories. 'गूंजना' is a great word for setting the scene and conveying the impact of an event on a whole area or a person's mind.
At the B2 level, your use of 'गूंजना' should reflect a more nuanced understanding of Hindi grammar and vocabulary. You should be able to distinguish between 'गूंजना' and its more formal counterpart 'प्रतिध्वनित होना'. You might use 'प्रतिध्वनित होना' in a formal presentation or a written report about the impact of a policy, while using 'गूंजना' in a casual conversation. You can also use the word to describe complex auditory environments, like the 'intermingling of echoing sounds'. Metaphorically, you can use it to discuss the 'resonance' of historical events or cultural movements. For example, 'The echoes of the independence movement still resonate in modern India.' At this level, you should also be careful with the nuances of intensity. You might use 'गूंज' (the noun) to describe the 'after-effects' of something. Your sentences should be more sophisticated, perhaps using the passive voice or conditional structures. 'If the walls could speak, they would echo with the secrets of the past.' This level of expression allows you to be much more poetic and precise.
At the C1 level, 'गूंजना' becomes a tool for sophisticated literary and philosophical expression. You can use it to describe the 'vibrations' of the soul or the 'resonance' of profound philosophical truths. You will encounter this word in classical Hindi literature and modern poetry, where it is used to create atmosphere and evoke deep emotions. You should be able to use it in the context of 'dhvani' (sound/suggestion) theory in Indian aesthetics, discussing how a word's meaning 'echoes' beyond its literal definition. Your vocabulary should also include related terms like 'झंकृत' (vibrating musically) and 'अनुरणन' (reverberation). You can analyze how different authors use 'goonjna' to represent memory, trauma, or national identity. For example, you might write an essay on how the 'echoes' of the partition are depicted in Hindi cinema. At C1, your mastery of the word includes understanding its rhythmic role in a sentence and its ability to evoke a sensory experience for the reader or listener.
At the C2 level, you have a near-native command of 'गूंजना' and can use it with absolute precision in any context, from the most technical scientific discussion of acoustics to the most avant-garde poetry. You understand the subtle differences in connotation between 'गूंजना', 'गूंज उठना', 'प्रतिध्वनित होना', and 'अनुनाद करना'. You can use the word to discuss the 'echo chambers' of modern social media or the 'resonance' of subatomic particles in physics. Your usage is effortless, and you can play with the word's metaphorical potential to create original and striking imagery. You are also aware of the word's etymological roots and its historical development in the Hindi language. You can interpret the most complex puns or wordplay involving 'goonjna' in Hindi media. Essentially, at this level, the word is a flexible instrument in your linguistic repertoire, allowing you to convey the finest shades of meaning regarding sound, influence, memory, and existence itself.

गूंजना in 30 Seconds

  • Goonjna means to echo or reverberate physically.
  • It is an intransitive verb; the sound is the subject.
  • Metaphorically, it describes fame, persistent thoughts, or social impact.
  • Commonly used with bells, shouts, stadiums, and deep memories.

The Hindi verb गूंजना (Goonjna) is a sensory powerhouse that captures the physical and metaphorical act of sound reverberating. At its most basic level, it describes the phenomenon of an echo—when a sound hits a surface and bounces back, filling a space. However, in the rich tapestry of Hindi conversation, it extends far beyond simple acoustics. It describes the way a temple bell's resonance lingers in the air, the way a stadium erupts with the cheers of thousands, or even the way a haunting memory continues to play in the back of one's mind. When you use this word, you are not just talking about hearing a sound; you are talking about the environment being saturated by that sound.

Physical Resonance
This is the primary usage. If you stand in a large, empty hall and shout, your voice will 'goonj'. It is used for bells (घंटी), thunder (बादल की गरज), and loud announcements (घोषणाएं).

खाली कमरे में मेरी आवाज़ गूंज रही थी। (My voice was echoing in the empty room.)

Metaphorical Echoes
In literature and daily speech, a person's name can 'goonj' in the world, meaning they have become famous or their influence is felt everywhere. Similarly, a thought can 'goonj' in your head if you can't stop thinking about it.

Culturally, this word is deeply tied to Indian spiritual life. The sound of the 'Om' chant is often described as 'goonjna' because it is believed to vibrate through the entire universe. When you visit a bustling Indian market, the 'shor-gul' (noise) is said to 'goonj' through the narrow lanes. It evokes a sense of fullness and presence. Whether it is the laughter of children in a courtyard or the stern warning of a teacher in a silent classroom, 'goonjna' provides the auditory texture of the scene. It is a word that appeals to the ears and the imagination simultaneously, making it essential for anyone looking to describe atmospheres in Hindi.

उनकी सफलता की कहानी पूरे देश में गूंज रही है। (The story of their success is resonating throughout the whole country.)

Acoustic Dynamics
In technical or descriptive writing, 'goonjna' describes the quality of a space. An 'acoustic' hall is one where sound 'goonjta' well. It implies a certain depth and duration to the sound.

पहाड़ों के बीच सन्नाटा गूंज रहा था। (The silence was echoing amidst the mountains - a poetic use of the word.)

In summary, 'Goonjna' is about the life of a sound after it has been produced. It is the vibration, the repetition, and the resonance that defines an environment. From the smallest bee's hum to the largest explosion's roar, if the sound persists and fills the area, it is 'goonjna'.

Using गूंजना correctly requires understanding that it is an intransitive verb (अकर्मक क्रिया). This means the sound itself is the subject that performs the action of echoing. You do not 'echo' something; rather, something 'echoes'. In English, we might say 'The hall echoed with laughter,' but in Hindi, we usually say 'Laughter echoed in the hall.' This distinction is crucial for natural-sounding Hindi.

Present Continuous Tense
This is common when describing a current scene. Structure: [Subject] [Location] में गूंज रहा/रही है।

स्टेडियम में 'भारत माता की जय' के नारे गूंज रहे हैं। (Slogans of 'Victory to Mother India' are echoing in the stadium.)

Past Tense (Simple Past)
Used for completed actions. Structure: [Subject] [Location] में गूंजा/गूंजी।

धमाके की आवाज़ दूर-दूर तक गूंजी। (The sound of the blast echoed far and wide.)

Another frequent construction involves the compound verb गूंज उठना (Goonj uthna). The 'uthna' auxiliary adds a sense of suddenness or intensity. It suggests that the space was suddenly filled with sound.

बच्चे की किलकारी से पूरा घर गूंज उठा। (The whole house suddenly echoed with the child's joyful scream.)

Future Tense
Used for predictions or expected outcomes. Structure: [Subject] [Location] में गूंजेगा/गूंजेगी।

तुम्हारी आवाज़ सदियों तक गूंजेगी। (Your voice will echo for centuries.)

When using 'गूंजना' with abstract nouns like 'नाम' (name) or 'यादें' (memories), the preposition 'में' (in) is often replaced by a broader context. For example, 'उसका नाम पूरी दुनिया में गूंज रहा है' (His name is echoing/is famous in the whole world). This illustrates how the verb transitions from physical sound to social reputation. Always pay attention to the gender of the sound producing the echo; 'आवाज़' (voice) is feminine, so it is 'गूंज रही है', while 'शोर' (noise) is masculine, so it is 'गूंज रहा है'.

In the real world, गूंजना is a staple of Hindi media, literature, and daily observations. If you are watching a Bollywood movie, particularly a historical epic or a high-stakes drama, you will frequently hear this word in the dialogue or lyrics to emphasize the weight of a moment. For instance, a hero might say that the cries of the oppressed are 'echoing' in his ears. In news reporting, when a major political rally occurs, the reporter will invariably state that the leader's slogans were 'echoing' throughout the city.

Religious Contexts
In temples, mosques, and gurudwaras, the sounds of prayers, 'Azaan', or 'Bhajans' are described as 'goonjna'. It conveys a sense of divine presence filling the sacred space.

सुबह-सुबह मंदिर में शंख की ध्वनि गूंजती है। (Early in the morning, the sound of the conch shell echoes in the temple.)

Nature and Outdoors
When trekking in the Himalayas or visiting a valley, the guide might warn you that a loud shout will 'goonj' and possibly cause an avalanche. It describes the natural acoustics of the wild.

You will also hear this word in sports commentary. When a batsman hits a six in a packed stadium like the Wankhede, the commentator might scream, 'पूरा स्टेडियम शोर से गूंज उठा है!' (The entire stadium has erupted/echoed with noise!). It captures the collective energy of the crowd. In a more domestic setting, a mother might complain that the children's shouting is 'echoing' in her head (मेरे सिर में उनकी आवाज़ें गूंज रही हैं), indicating a headache or sensory overload.

जंगल में शेर की दहाड़ गूंजी और सब शांत हो गए। (The lion's roar echoed in the forest and everyone became silent.)

Modern Usage
In the digital age, 'goonjna' is used to describe how a viral video or a trending hashtag is 'echoing' across social media platforms. It signifies widespread reach.

Whether it's the literal acoustics of a cave or the metaphorical resonance of a political movement, 'गूंजना' is the go-to word for sounds and ideas that refuse to be ignored and insist on filling every corner of their environment. It is a word of impact and persistence.

Learning गूंजना can be tricky because of its specific grammatical nature and its similarity to other words. One of the most common errors for English speakers is trying to use it as a transitive verb. In English, you can say 'The walls echoed the sound,' but in Hindi, you cannot say 'दीवारों ने आवाज़ को गूंजा.' This is fundamentally incorrect.

Mistake 1: Transitive Misuse
Incorrect: मैं अपनी आवाज़ गूंज रहा हूँ। (I am echoing my voice). Correct: मेरी आवाज़ गूंज रही है। (My voice is echoing). You cannot 'do' the echoing; the sound does it itself.

गलत: पहाड़ों ने मेरी पुकार गूंजी। (Wrong: The mountains echoed my call.) सही: पहाड़ों में मेरी पुकार गूंजी। (Right: My call echoed in the mountains.)

Another common mistake is confusing 'गूंजना' (to echo) with 'गूंथना' (to knead dough) or 'गूंथना' (to braid hair). While they look and sound somewhat similar to a beginner, their meanings are entirely unrelated. Pay close attention to the nasal sound 'n' and the 'j' in 'goonjna'.

Mistake 2: Gender Agreement
Learners often forget to match the verb ending with the subject (the sound). Since 'आवाज़' (voice) is feminine, the verb must be 'गूंज रही'. If the subject is 'शोर' (noise), which is masculine, it must be 'गूंज रहा'.

गलत: उसकी आवाज़ कमरे में गूंज रहा था। (Wrong: His voice was echoing - masculine verb.) सही: उसकी आवाज़ कमरे में गूंज रही थी। (Right: His voice was echoing - feminine verb.)

Finally, avoid overusing 'गूंजना' for simple sounds. If you just hear a bird chirping, it is 'चहचहाना' or 'आवाज़ आना'. Only use 'गूंजना' if the sound is loud, persistent, or filling a large space. Using it for a faint whisper in a crowded room would be semantically inappropriate unless the whisper is somehow magically amplified.

Mistake 3: The 'Ne' Rule
Never use 'ने' with 'गूंजना' in the past tense. Because it is intransitive, the 'ne' rule for transitive verbs doesn't apply. It's always 'शोर गूंजा', never 'शोर ने गूंजा'.

By keeping these points in mind—intransitivity, gender agreement, and phonetic distinction—you will avoid the most common pitfalls and sound much more like a native speaker.

While गूंजना is the most common word for echoing, Hindi offers several synonyms and related terms that can add nuance to your descriptions. Depending on whether you want to sound more formal, more poetic, or more technical, you might choose a different word.

प्रतिध्वनित होना (Pratidhvanit Hona)
This is the formal/Sanskritized version of 'to echo'. 'Prati' (back) + 'dhvani' (sound). You will find this in textbooks, formal speeches, or high literature.

कवि की वाणी पूरे युग में प्रतिध्वनित होती है। (The poet's voice echoes/resonates throughout the era.)

झंकृत होना (Jhankrit Hona)
This word specifically refers to a vibrating, musical resonance, like the ringing of a sitar string or a small bell. It has a more delicate, artistic connotation than 'goonjna'.
गूंज उठना vs. गूंजना
'Goonj uthna' implies a sudden start. If a silent room suddenly fills with laughter, use 'goonj utha'. If the sound is steady and continuous, 'goonjna' is better.

There is also the term गूँज (Goonj), which is the noun form meaning 'the echo' or 'the resonance'. You can say 'कमरे में एक गूँज थी' (There was an echo in the room). Using the noun can sometimes be more descriptive than the verb.

उसकी बातों की गूँज अभी भी मेरे कानों में है। (The echo of his words is still in my ears.)

Resonance in Science
In physics, 'resonance' is often translated as 'अनुनाद' (Anunaad). While 'goonjna' is the everyday word, 'anunaad' is what you would use in a laboratory or engineering context.

Choosing the right alternative depends on your audience. For everyday conversation, 'गूंजना' is always safe and natural. For poetry, 'झंकृत' adds beauty. For a formal essay, 'प्रतिध्वनित' shows your command over the higher vocabulary of Hindi.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The word is inherently onomatopoeic. If you say 'Goonj' slowly, the long 'oo' followed by the nasal 'n' and the soft 'j' actually mimics the sound of a fading resonance.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈɡuːndʒ.nɑː/
US /ˈɡundʒ.nɑ/
The primary stress is on the first syllable 'Goon'.
Rhymes With
बूझना (Boojhna - to understand) सूझना (Soojhna - to occur to someone) खोजना (Khojna - to search) पूजना (Poojna - to worship) जूझना (Joojhna - to struggle) रोजना (Rojna - daily, in some dialects) मोजना (Mojna - to enjoy, colloquial) सोचना (Sochna - to think, partial rhyme)
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing it as 'Goo-jana' (adding an extra vowel).
  • Missing the nasalization of the 'oo' sound.
  • Pronouncing the 'j' too hard like a 'z'.
  • Confusing the ending 'na' with a long 'aa' like 'naw'.
  • Stress on the second syllable 'na' instead of the first.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize in text, often appearing in descriptive passages.

Writing 4/5

Requires understanding of intransitive verb structures and gender agreement.

Speaking 3/5

Pronunciation is straightforward once nasalization is mastered.

Listening 3/5

Distinctive sound makes it easy to pick out in speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

आवाज़ (Awaaz) शोर (Shor) घंटी (Ghanti) खाली (Khali) कमरा (Kamra)

Learn Next

प्रतिध्वनि (Pratidhvani) झंकार (Jhankar) सन्नाटा (Sannata) अनुनाद (Anunaad) गूंथना (Goonthna - for contrast)

Advanced

ध्वनिविज्ञान (Acoustics) अनुरणन काल (Reverberation time) काव्यात्मक अभिव्यक्ति (Poetic expression) अलंकार (Figures of speech)

Grammar to Know

Intransitive Verb (अकर्मक क्रिया)

आवाज़ गूंजती है (The voice echoes). No direct object.

No 'Ne' in Past Tense

शोर गूंजा (Noise echoed). Not 'शोर ने गूंजा'.

Gender Agreement with Sound

आवाज़ (fem) गूंज रही है; शोर (masc) गूंज रहा है.

Compound Verb Formation

गूंज + उठना = गूंज उठना (to suddenly echo).

Present Participle as Adjective

गूंजती हुई आवाज़ (An echoing voice).

Examples by Level

1

मंदिर में घंटी गूंज रही है।

The bell is echoing in the temple.

Simple present continuous tense. 'गूंज रही है' matches feminine 'घंटी'.

2

खाली घर में आवाज़ गूंजती है।

Voice echoes in an empty house.

General fact using present simple tense.

3

पहाड़ों में मेरी आवाज़ गूंजी।

My voice echoed in the mountains.

Simple past tense. Note: No 'ne' used.

4

क्या यहाँ आवाज़ गूंज रही है?

Is the voice echoing here?

Interrogative sentence.

5

शोर बहुत गूंज रहा है।

The noise is echoing a lot.

Masculine agreement with 'शोर'.

6

यहाँ मत चिल्लाओ, आवाज़ गूंजेगी।

Don't shout here, the voice will echo.

Future tense 'गूंजेगी'.

7

हॉल में संगीत गूंज रहा था।

Music was echoing in the hall.

Past continuous tense.

8

बच्चे की हंसी गूंज रही है।

The child's laughter is echoing.

Feminine agreement with 'हंसी'.

1

पूरा कमरा तालियों से गूंज उठा।

The whole room erupted with applause.

Compound verb 'गूंज उठा' for sudden action.

2

स्टेडियम में शोर गूंज रहा था।

Noise was echoing in the stadium.

Describes a continuous state in the past.

3

उसकी आवाज़ मेरे कानों में गूंजी।

Her voice echoed in my ears.

Metaphorical use for a persistent sound.

4

बादलों की गरज दूर तक गूंजी।

The thunder's roar echoed far away.

Feminine agreement with 'गरज'.

5

पुरानी हवेली में सन्नाटा गूंज रहा है।

Silence is echoing in the old mansion.

Poetic use of 'silence' as the subject.

6

स्कूल की घंटी गूंजते ही बच्चे बाहर आए।

As soon as the school bell echoed, children came out.

Use of 'गूंजते ही' (as soon as it echoed).

7

गुफा के अंदर आवाज़ बहुत गूंजती है।

The voice echoes a lot inside the cave.

Adverb 'बहुत' modifying the frequency/intensity.

8

नारे गलियों में गूंज रहे थे।

Slogans were echoing in the streets.

Plural masculine agreement with 'नारे'.

1

उसका नाम पूरी दुनिया में गूंज रहा है।

His name is echoing (he is famous) throughout the world.

Metaphorical use meaning 'fame'.

2

माँ की डांट अभी भी मेरे दिमाग में गूंजती है।

Mother's scolding still echoes in my mind.

Metaphorical use for memory.

3

इस जीत की गूंज सालों तक रहेगी।

The echo of this victory will remain for years.

Using 'गूंज' as a noun.

4

भाषण की आवाज़ मैदान के कोने-कोने में गूंजी।

The sound of the speech echoed in every corner of the field.

Use of 'कोने-कोने में' for emphasis.

5

अचानक हुई उस आवाज़ से पूरा जंगल गूंज गया।

The whole forest echoed with that sudden sound.

Compound verb 'गूंज गया' for completion.

6

सफलता की कहानी हर घर में गूंज रही है।

The story of success is echoing in every house.

Metaphorical use for news/rumors.

7

गायक की आवाज़ हॉल में गूंजती रही।

The singer's voice kept echoing in the hall.

Aspectual use 'गूंजती रही' (kept echoing).

8

पुरानी यादें मन में गूंजने लगीं।

Old memories started echoing in the mind.

Inceptive use 'गूंजने लगीं' (started echoing).

1

उनके शब्द आज भी समाज में गूंजते हैं।

Their words still resonate in society today.

Metaphorical resonance of ideas.

2

विस्फोट की गूंज कई किलोमीटर दूर तक सुनी गई।

The echo of the explosion was heard many kilometers away.

Passive construction with the noun 'गूंज'.

3

उसकी हँसी में एक अजीब सा खालीपन गूंज रहा था।

A strange emptiness was echoing in her laughter.

Abstract literary usage.

4

इस घटना की गूंज संसद तक पहुँची।

The echo of this incident reached the Parliament.

Metaphorical use for political impact.

5

स्टेडियम दर्शकों के उत्साह से गूंज उठा था।

The stadium was echoing with the enthusiasm of the spectators.

Use of 'से' to indicate the cause of the echo.

6

मंदिर की घंटियों की आवाज़ वातावरण में गूंज रही थी।

The sound of temple bells was echoing in the atmosphere.

Complex subject 'घंटियों की आवाज़'.

7

क्या आपने कभी पहाड़ों में अपनी आवाज़ को गूंजते सुना है?

Have you ever heard your voice echoing in the mountains?

Participial use 'गूंजते सुना'.

8

राजनीतिक गलियारों में इस बदलाव की गूंज सुनाई दे रही है।

The echo of this change is being heard in political corridors.

Idiomatic use of 'political corridors'.

1

इतिहास की गूँज वर्तमान के हर फैसले में सुनाई देती है।

The echo of history is heard in every decision of the present.

Philosophical use of the noun form.

2

उसकी कविताएँ पाठकों के हृदय में अनंत काल तक गूंजती रहेंगी।

His poems will continue to resonate in the hearts of readers for eternity.

Literary future continuous intent.

3

सन्नाटे की भी अपनी एक गूँज होती है, जो केवल मौन में सुनाई देती है।

Silence too has its own echo, which is only heard in stillness.

Paradoxical literary expression.

4

यह संगीत केवल कानों में नहीं, बल्कि आत्मा में गूंजता है।

This music echoes not just in the ears, but in the soul.

Contrastive structure 'not just X, but Y'.

5

शहर के कोलाहल में उसकी पुकार कहीं खो गई, पर यादों में गूंजती रही।

Her call was lost somewhere in the city's clamor, but kept echoing in memories.

Complex sentence with contrasting clauses.

6

विचारों की गूँज अक्सर क्रियान्वयन से अधिक शक्तिशाली होती है।

The resonance of ideas is often more powerful than their implementation.

Abstract comparison.

7

उस प्राचीन गुफा की दीवारों में हज़ारों साल पुराने मंत्र गूंज रहे थे।

Chants thousands of years old were echoing in the walls of that ancient cave.

Evocative historical description.

8

न्याय की मांग पूरे देश के कोने-कोने में गूंज उठी।

The demand for justice erupted/echoed in every corner of the country.

Metaphorical use for social movements.

1

ब्रह्मांड के आदिम स्वर आज भी वैज्ञानिक उपकरणों में गूंज रहे हैं।

The primordial sounds of the universe are still echoing in scientific instruments.

Scientific/Cosmological context.

2

उनकी अनुपस्थिति की गूँज उस बड़े घर में चीख की तरह महसूस होती थी।

The echo of their absence felt like a scream in that large house.

Deeply metaphorical and psychological.

3

सांस्कृतिक विरासत की गूँज पीढ़ी-दर-पीढ़ी हस्तांतरित होती रहती है।

The resonance of cultural heritage keeps being transferred generation after generation.

Sociological usage.

4

दार्शनिकों के तर्क सदियों के गलियारों में आज भी गूंज रहे हैं।

The arguments of philosophers are still echoing in the corridors of centuries.

Temporal metaphor.

5

युद्ध की विभीषिका की गूँज आने वाली नस्लों के मनोविज्ञान में समा जाती है।

The echo of the horrors of war becomes embedded in the psychology of future generations.

Complex abstract subject and object.

6

मौन की वह गूँज किसी भी शब्द से अधिक मुखर थी।

That resonance of silence was more vocal than any word.

Oxymoronic literary device.

7

आधुनिकता के शोर में परंपरा की गूँज कहीं मद्धम तो नहीं पड़ गई?

Has the resonance of tradition grown faint in the noise of modernity?

Rhetorical question with nuanced verbs.

8

सत्य की गूँज को असत्य के आवरण से दबाया नहीं जा सकता।

The resonance of truth cannot be suppressed by the veil of falsehood.

Philosophical absolute.

Common Collocations

आवाज़ गूंजना
नाम गूंजना
नारे गूंजना
हंसी गूंजना
घंटी गूंजना
यादें गूंजना
कानों में गूंजना
सन्नाटा गूंजना
तालियों से गूंजना
गूंज सुनाई देना

Common Phrases

गूंज उठा

— Suddenly filled with sound. Used to describe a quick change in the atmosphere.

खुशी की खबर सुनते ही घर गूंज उठा।

दूर-दूर तक गूंजना

— To echo across a vast distance. Used for loud or significant events.

धमाके की आवाज़ दूर-दूर तक गूंजी।

मन में गूंजना

— To keep repeating in one's mind. Used for thoughts or songs.

वह धुन मेरे मन में गूंज रही है।

कोने-कोने में गूंजना

— To echo in every single corner. Implies complete saturation of sound.

आज़ादी के गीत देश के कोने-कोने में गूंज रहे थे।

नाम की गूंज

— The resonance of a name. Refers to someone's great reputation.

खेल की दुनिया में उसके नाम की गूंज है।

गूंजती आवाज़

— An echoing or resonant voice. Often used to describe a powerful speaker.

उनकी गूंजती आवाज़ ने सबको प्रभावित किया।

खामोशी में गूंजना

— To echo in silence. Used for small sounds that seem loud in a quiet place.

रात की खामोशी में घड़ी की टिक-टिक गूंज रही थी।

गूंजता हुआ संगीत

— Reverberating music. Used for concerts or large spaces.

हॉल में गूंजता हुआ संगीत बहुत मधुर था।

सफलता की गूंज

— The resonance of success. Refers to the widespread impact of an achievement.

उनकी सफलता की गूंज आज भी सुनाई देती है।

सवालों की गूंज

— The echoing of questions. Used when many people are asking the same thing.

जनता के बीच इन सवालों की गूंज बढ़ रही है।

Often Confused With

गूंजना vs गूंथना (Goonthna)

Means to knead dough or braid hair. Sounds similar but totally different meaning.

गूंजना vs गाना (Gaana)

Means to sing. A song can echo (goonjna), but singing itself is a different action.

गूंजना vs शोर (Shor)

Means noise. Noise is the subject that echoes, not the act of echoing itself.

Idioms & Expressions

"कानों में गूंजना"

— To be unable to forget someone's words or a specific sound. It keeps playing back.

उसकी आखिरी चेतावनी मेरे कानों में गूंज रही है।

Neutral
"नाम का डंका गूंजना"

— To be extremely famous and influential. Literally, for the drum of one's name to echo.

आज पूरी दुनिया में भारतीय तकनीक के नाम का डंका गूंज रहा है।

Informal/Idiomatic
"आवाज़ की गूंज दूर तक जाना"

— For one's words or actions to have a long-lasting and widespread impact.

एक छोटे से विरोध की गूंज दूर तक गई।

Neutral
"सन्नाटे को चीरती गूंज"

— A sound that suddenly and sharply breaks a profound silence.

एक चीख ने रात के सन्नाटे को चीरती गूंज पैदा की।

Literary
"इतिहास के पन्नों में गूंजना"

— To be remembered forever in history.

उनका बलिदान इतिहास के पन्नों में हमेशा गूंजेगा।

Formal
"दिलों में गूंजना"

— To reside or resonate in people's hearts emotionally.

देशभक्ति के गीत आज भी हमारे दिलों में गूंजते हैं।

Poetic
"गूंज सुनाई देना"

— To sense the early signs or rumors of something big happening.

आने वाले चुनाव की गूंज अभी से सुनाई दे रही है।

Informal
"फिजाओं में गूंजना"

— For a sound to be present everywhere in the air/environment.

त्योहार के दौरान खुशियाँ फिजाओं में गूंजती हैं।

Poetic
"गूंज बनकर रह जाना"

— To become a mere memory or a thing of the past that has no present power.

पुराने राजाओं की शान अब सिर्फ एक गूंज बनकर रह गई है।

Literary
"नारा गूंजना"

— For a slogan to become the defining cry of a movement.

हर तरफ 'इंकलाब ज़िंदाबाद' का नारा गूंज रहा था।

Neutral

Easily Confused

गूंजना vs गूंथना

Phonetic similarity.

Goonthna is a transitive verb for physical manipulation (kneading/braiding), while Goonjna is an intransitive verb for sound.

वह आटा गूंथ रही है (She is kneading dough) vs आवाज़ गूंज रही है (The voice is echoing).

गूंजना vs गूँजना vs गूँजाना

Intransitive vs Causative forms.

Goonjna is 'to echo' (sound does it), Goonjana is 'to make something echo' (rarely used, usually replaced by 'गूंज पैदा करना').

कमरा गूंजा vs उसने कमरे को गूंजा दिया (less common).

गूंजना vs बजना

Both relate to sound.

Bajna is to ring or be played (instrument/bell), Goonjna is the resonance that follows.

घंटी बजी (The bell rang) then आवाज़ गूंजी (The sound echoed).

गूंजना vs गरजना

Both describe loud sounds.

Garajna is specifically to roar or thunder. A roar can then 'goonjna' in a valley.

शेर गरजा (The lion roared) and उसकी दहाड़ गूंजी (His roar echoed).

गूंजना vs चिल्लाना

Shouting often leads to echoing.

Chillana is the human action of shouting. Goonjna is what happens to the sound after the shout.

वह चिल्लाया और उसकी आवाज़ गूंजी (He shouted and his voice echoed).

Sentence Patterns

A1

[Sound] गूंज रहा है।

गाना गूंज रहा है।

A2

[Place] में [Sound] गूंज रही है।

हॉल में आवाज़ गूंज रही है।

B1

[Sound] से [Place] गूंज उठा।

तालियों से कमरा गूंज उठा।

B1

[Person] का नाम [Place] में गूंज रहा है।

उनका नाम पूरे शहर में गूंज रहा है।

B2

[Abstract Idea] की गूंज [Time] तक रहेगी।

इस क्रांति की गूंज सदियों तक रहेगी।

C1

[Place] की दीवारों में [Sound] गूंज रहे थे।

मंदिर की दीवारों में मंत्र गूंज रहे थे।

C2

[Silence/Emptiness] में [Sound] की गूँज महसूस होना।

सन्नाटे में उसकी यादों की गूँज महसूस होती है।

C2

[Concept] की गूँज [Context] में सुनाई देना।

लोकतंत्र की गूँज हमारे संविधान में सुनाई देती है।

Word Family

Nouns

गूँज (Goonj) - Echo/Resonance
प्रतिध्वनि (Pratidhvani) - Reflection of sound
गूंजाहट (Goonjahat) - The act or state of echoing (rare)

Verbs

गूंजना (Goonjna) - To echo (intransitive)
गूंजाना (Goonjana) - To cause to echo (causative, less common)
प्रतिध्वनित होना (Pratidhvanit hona) - To be echoed

Adjectives

गूंजता (Goonjta) - Echoing/Resonant
गूंजने वाला (Goonjne wala) - That which echoes

Related

आवाज़ (Awaaz) - Voice/Sound
शोर (Shor) - Noise
ध्वनि (Dhvani) - Sound
सन्नाटा (Sannata) - Silence
अनुनाद (Anunaad) - Resonance

How to Use It

frequency

Very high in both spoken and written Hindi.

Common Mistakes
  • Using 'ने' (ne) with the verb in the past tense. शोर गूंजा (Shor goonja).

    Since 'गूंजना' is intransitive, it never takes the 'ne' particle.

  • Confusing 'गूंजना' with 'गूंथना'. आवाज़ गूंज रही है (The voice is echoing).

    'Goonthna' means to knead dough. Don't mix up the 'j' and 'th' sounds.

  • Using it as a transitive verb. कमरे में आवाज़ गूंजी (Voice echoed in the room).

    You cannot 'echo a sound'; the sound must be the subject.

  • Incorrect gender agreement with 'आवाज़'. आवाज़ गूंज रही थी (The voice was echoing).

    'Awaaz' is feminine, so the verb must end in 'i'.

  • Using 'गूंजना' for very faint sounds. आवाज़ आ रही है (A sound is coming).

    'Goonjna' implies a certain volume or resonance. For a faint sound, use 'aana'.

Tips

Subject-Verb Agreement

Always identify the sound first. If it's feminine (Awaaz, Hansi, Ghanti), use 'Goonj rahi'. If masculine (Shor, Naam, Gaana), use 'Goonj raha'.

Add Intensity

Use the auxiliary 'उठना' (Goonj uthna) to show that a place suddenly became filled with sound. It's more descriptive than just 'Goonjna'.

Metaphorical Fame

Use 'Goonjna' when talking about someone's success. It makes your Hindi sound more advanced and expressive.

Nasalization

Don't skip the nasal 'n' in 'Goonj'. It's written as a dot (bindu) in Hindi and is essential for correct pronunciation.

Empty Spaces

Use 'Goonjna' to describe the feeling of an empty house. It helps convey a sense of loneliness or vastness.

Poetic Silence

Experiment with 'Sannata goonjna' (silence echoing) in your creative writing to describe a heavy, still atmosphere.

Social Slogans

When describing a protest or a rally, 'Naare goonj rahe hain' is the most natural way to say slogans are being shouted.

Song Lyrics

Pay attention to the word 'Goonj' in Bollywood songs; it often appears when the singer is reminiscing about a past love.

Avoid Transitive Errors

Never say 'The walls echoed the sound'. Instead, say 'The sound echoed in the walls' (दीवारों में आवाज़ गूंजी).

Sacred Sounds

Understand that 'Goonjna' has a positive, powerful connotation when used with religious chants or bells in India.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Goon' (a tough guy) shouting in a 'J'ungle. His voice will 'Goonj-na' (echo) through the trees. Goon + J + Na.

Visual Association

Imagine a giant brass bell in a silent mountain temple. When it is struck, see the sound waves traveling out and bouncing back from the snowy peaks. That visual flow is 'Goonjna'.

Word Web

Echo Bell Cave Fame Memory Temple Resonance Sound

Challenge

Try to find three different things in your house that can 'goonj'. A metal bucket? An empty hallway? A large pot? Say the word each time you hear the resonance.

Word Origin

Derived from the Sanskrit root 'गुञ्ज्' (guñj), which means 'to buzz', 'to hum', or 'to murmur'. This root is onomatopoeic in nature, mimicking the sound of a bee or a low vibration.

Original meaning: The original Sanskrit meaning was primarily focused on the humming of bees or the tinkling of ornaments. Over time, it expanded in Hindi to include larger reverberations and echoes.

Indo-Aryan family, descending from Sanskrit through Prakrit and Apabhramsha.

Cultural Context

There are no major sensitivities, but when using it for religious sounds, ensure the context is respectful.

English speakers might use 'echo' primarily for physical sound, but in Hindi, 'goonjna' is much more common for emotions and reputations, similar to 'resonate' in English.

The movie title 'Goonj Uthi Shehnai' (The Shehnai has started echoing) - a classic 1959 film. The song 'Goonja Sa Hai Koi Iktara' from the movie 'Wake Up Sid'. The phrase 'Satyamev Jayate' (Truth alone triumphs) is often said to 'goonj' in the foundations of Indian democracy.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At a tourist spot (cave/valley)

  • यहाँ आवाज़ गूंजती है क्या?
  • अपनी आवाज़ की गूंज सुनो!
  • चिल्लाओ मत, आवाज़ गूंजेगी।
  • कितनी सुंदर गूंज है!

Talking about a famous person

  • उनका नाम चारों तरफ गूंज रहा है।
  • उनकी ख्याति की गूंज हर जगह है।
  • पूरा देश उनके नाम से गूंज उठा।
  • उनकी आवाज़ की गूंज अभी भी है।

In a temple or religious place

  • भजनों की गूंज बहुत शांति देती है।
  • शंख की ध्वनि गूंज रही है।
  • मंदिर में मंत्र गूंज रहे थे।
  • घंटियों की गूंज सुनाई दे रही है।

Describing a loud event

  • धमाका इतनी ज़ोर से था कि सब गूंज गया।
  • हॉल तालियों से गूंज उठा।
  • नारों की गूंज से आसमान हिल गया।
  • शोर कानों में गूंज रहा है।

Memories and feelings

  • पुरानी बातें मन में गूंजती रहती हैं।
  • उनकी हंसी की गूंज अभी भी याद है।
  • वो पल मेरे दिल में गूंजते हैं।
  • बीते कल की गूंज।

Conversation Starters

"क्या आपने कभी किसी पुरानी हवेली में आवाज़ को गूंजते सुना है?"

"जब आप पहाड़ों में होते हैं, तो क्या आपको अपनी आवाज़ की गूंज पसंद है?"

"आपके देश में कौन सा ऐसा गाना है जिसकी गूंज हर जगह सुनाई देती है?"

"क्या कभी किसी की डांट आपके कानों में घंटों तक गूंजती रही है?"

"मंदिर की घंटियों की गूंज के बारे में आप क्या सोचते हैं?"

Journal Prompts

आज मैंने एक ऐसी आवाज़ सुनी जो मेरे मन में गूंजती रही...

एक खाली घर में रहने का अनुभव और वहाँ की गूंज के बारे में लिखें।

किसी ऐसे नेता या महान व्यक्ति के बारे में लिखें जिसका नाम आज भी गूंज रहा है।

जब सन्नाटा गूंजता है, तो आपको कैसा महसूस होता है?

मेरे जीवन की सबसे सुखद गूंज वह थी जब...

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

It is an intransitive verb (अकर्मक क्रिया). This means the sound itself is the subject that echoes. You don't 'echo' something; the sound 'echoes' in a place. For example, 'आवाज़ गूंज रही है' (The voice is echoing).

Yes, absolutely! It is very common to say 'उसका नाम पूरी दुनिया में गूंज रहा है' to mean someone is very famous. It implies their reputation is resonating everywhere.

'गूंजना' is the standard, everyday word used in conversation. 'प्रतिध्वनित होना' is more formal and Sanskrit-derived, used in literature, news, or academic contexts. They mean the same thing.

Yes, like most Hindi verbs, it agrees with the subject. If the sound (subject) is feminine like 'आवाज़', it's 'गूंज रही है'. If it's masculine like 'शोर', it's 'गूंज रहा है'.

In a poetic sense, yes. Hindi writers often use 'सन्नाटा गूंजना' to describe a silence that is so deep and vast that it feels heavy and resonant.

You would use the compound verb 'गूंज उठा'. The sentence would be: 'हॉल हंसी से गूंज उठा' (Halla hansi se goonj utha).

Yes, the noun is 'गूँज' (Goonj), which means 'an echo' or 'resonance'. For example, 'कमरे में एक गूँज थी' (There was an echo in the room).

No, 'गूंजना' is strictly for sound or metaphorical resonance (like fame or thoughts). For smells, you would use 'महकना', and for lights, 'चमकना'.

Because 'गूंजना' is an intransitive verb. In Hindi, the 'ने' particle is only used with transitive verbs in the perfective tenses. So, it is 'आवाज़ गूंजी', not 'आवाज़ ने गूंजा'.

Temple bells (घंटी), thunder (बादल), slogans (नारे), laughter (हंसी), names of famous people (नाम), and loud music (संगीत) are all common subjects for this verb.

Test Yourself 200 questions

writing

Translate to Hindi: 'The sound of the bell echoed in the temple.'

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Translate to Hindi: 'His name is echoing in the whole world.'

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Use 'गूंज उठा' in a sentence about a stadium.

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Describe an empty house using the word 'गूंजना'.

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Translate to Hindi: 'Silence was echoing in the forest.'

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Write a sentence using 'गूंजना' metaphorically for memories.

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writing

Translate to Hindi: 'The slogans echoed in the streets.'

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Use the formal word 'प्रतिध्वनित' in a sentence about a speech.

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Translate to Hindi: 'Don't shout, the voice will echo.'

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Write a short paragraph (3 sentences) about visiting a cave using 'गूंजना'.

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Translate to Hindi: 'The echo of the blast was heard far away.'

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Use 'गूंजती हुई' as an adjective in a sentence.

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Translate to Hindi: 'Her laughter echoed in the hallway.'

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Write a sentence about a viral news using 'गूंजना'.

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Translate: 'The sound of music kept echoing.'

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Use 'गूंज' as a noun in a sentence about history.

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Translate: 'Your words will echo for centuries.'

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Write a sentence about thunder using 'गूंजना'.

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Translate: 'The applause echoed in the hall.'

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Use 'गूंजने लगा' in a sentence about a child.

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speaking

Pronounce 'गूंजना' clearly, emphasizing the nasal 'n'.

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Say 'The voice is echoing' in Hindi.

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Describe a noisy stadium in one sentence using 'गूंज उठा'.

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speaking

Say 'His name is echoing everywhere' in Hindi.

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Ask 'Why is the voice echoing here?' in Hindi.

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Tell a friend not to shout because of the echo.

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speaking

Say 'I can hear the echo' in Hindi.

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speaking

Describe the sound of temple bells echoing.

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speaking

Use 'गूंजती रही' to say the music kept echoing.

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Say 'Memories are echoing in my mind' in Hindi.

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Pronounce the formal word 'प्रतिध्वनित'.

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Say 'The hall was filled with applause' using 'गूंज उठा'.

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Explain 'goonjna' to a child in simple Hindi.

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Say 'The thunder echoed far away' in Hindi.

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Use the word 'गूंज' (noun) in a sentence about a blast.

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Say 'Your voice will always echo in my heart' in Hindi.

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Describe a silent room where a clock is ticking.

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Say 'The whole forest echoed with the lion's roar' in Hindi.

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Ask 'Is there an echo in this cave?' in Hindi.

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Say 'The resonance of truth' in Hindi.

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listening

Listen to the sentence: 'हॉल तालियों से गूंज उठा।' What filled the hall?

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listening

Listen: 'उसकी आवाज़ कानों में गूंज रही है।' Where is the voice echoing?

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listening

Listen: 'मंदिर में भजन गूंज रहे थे।' What was echoing in the temple?

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listening

Listen: 'धमाके की गूंज दूर तक गई।' How far did the echo go?

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listening

Listen: 'नारे गलियों में गूंज रहे हैं।' Where are the slogans echoing?

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listening

Listen: 'उसका नाम इतिहास में गूंजेगा।' Where will his name echo?

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listening

Listen: 'सन्नाटा गूंज रहा था।' What was echoing?

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listening

Listen: 'क्या यहाँ आवाज़ गूंजती है?' What is being asked?

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listening

Listen: 'हंसी की गूंज सुनाई दी।' What was heard?

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listening

Listen: 'मंत्रों की गूंज से शांति मिली।' What gave peace?

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listening

Listen: 'बादल गूंज रहे हैं।' What is echoing?

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listening

Listen: 'सफलता की गूंज हर जगह है।' Where is the resonance of success?

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listening

Listen: 'उसकी डांट गूंजती रही।' Did the scolding stop immediately?

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listening

Listen: 'खाली कुएँ में मत झाँको, आवाज़ गूंजेगी।' Why shouldn't you look/shout in the well?

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listening

Listen: 'पूरा घर बच्चों की आवाज़ से गूंज गया।' What happened to the house?

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/ 200 correct

Perfect score!

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