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गूँजना

A2 verb 9 min read

गूँजना

goonjna

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips गूँजना in 30 Seconds

Explanation गूँजना in your Level:

At the A1 level, think of 'गूँजना' (Gūnjnā) as a special way to describe sound. Usually, you learn words like 'बोलना' (to speak) or 'सुनना' (to hear). 'गूँजना' is what happens when a sound is very loud or in a big empty room. Imagine you are in an empty house. You say 'Hello!' and the house says 'Hello!' back to you. That is 'गूँजना'. In Hindi, we say 'आवाज़ गूँज रही है' (The voice is echoing). It is a simple word to describe a cool effect. You don't need to worry about complex grammar here. Just remember that the sound is the thing doing the action. If you hear a bell ring in a big temple, and the sound stays in your ears, that is also 'गूँजना'. It's a fun word because it sounds a bit like what it describes—the long 'ū' sound (गूँ...) feels like a vibrating sound. Use it when you see a big hall or a mountain and you want to talk about the sound there.

At the A2 level, you can start using 'गूँजना' in more specific sentences. You should know that it is an intransitive verb. This means you don't use 'को' or 'ने' with it. The sound (like 'आवाज़' or 'शोर') is the subject. For example, 'कमरे में संगीत गूँज रहा है' (Music is echoing in the room). You should also notice how it changes for gender. 'आवाज़' is feminine, so we say 'गूँज रही है'. 'शोर' (noise) is masculine, so we say 'गूँज रहा है'. You might hear this word when people talk about mountains (पहाड़) or big buildings. It's also used for 'तालियाँ' (applause). If everyone claps, you can say 'तालियाँ गूँज उठीं' (Applause resounded). This level is about moving from simple 'sound' to 'resonating sound'. You can also use it for memories, like 'उसकी बातें मेरे दिमाग में गूँज रही हैं' (His words are echoing in my mind). It’s a great word to add more feeling to your Hindi.

By B1, you should be comfortable using 'गूँजना' in various tenses and metaphorical contexts. You'll notice it frequently in stories and news. It’s not just about physical echoes anymore; it’s about impact. If a famous person dies, the news might 'echo' throughout the country. In Hindi, 'यह खबर पूरे देश में गूँज गई'. Notice the use of 'गूँज जाना' here, which adds a sense of completion or spreading. You should also be able to distinguish between 'गूँजना' and the causative form 'गूँजाना'. If you shout to make an echo, you are 'making the valley echo' (घाटी को गूँजाना), but the sound itself is 'echoing' (गूँजना). You will also encounter the noun form 'गूँज'. For example, 'उसकी आवाज़ की गूँज' (The echo of his voice). At this level, you should use 'गूँजना' to describe atmosphere. Instead of saying 'It was loud,' say 'पूरा कमरा आवाज़ से गूँज रहा था' to sound more descriptive and advanced.

At the B2 level, 'गूँजना' becomes a tool for expressive and nuanced communication. You should understand its role in creating imagery in literature and poetry. It is often used to describe the 'vibe' of a place. For instance, 'मंदिर की शांति में मंत्रों का स्वर गूँज रहा था' (The sound of chants was resonating in the silence of the temple). This level requires you to handle plural subjects and complex tenses correctly. 'नारे गूँज रहे थे' (Slogans were echoing) vs 'आवाज़ गूँज रही थी'. You should also explore synonyms like 'प्रतिध्वनित होना' and know when to use them. While 'गूँजना' is natural and common, 'प्रतिध्वनित होना' is for formal writing. You can also use 'गूँजना' to talk about historical impact or legacy. 'गांधीजी के विचार आज भी दुनिया में गूँजते हैं' (Gandhiji's ideas still resonate in the world today). This usage shows you understand the deeper, abstract meaning of the word—that an idea can 'vibrate' through time.

At the C1 level, you are expected to use 'गूँजना' with poetic precision. It is no longer just a verb for sound but a metaphor for presence and influence. You should be able to analyze its use in classical Hindi literature where it might describe the 'Anahad Naad' (the unstruck sound) or spiritual resonance. You should also be familiar with compound forms like 'गूँज-अनुगूँज' (echoes and re-echoes). In socio-political discourse, you might use it to describe the public's reaction: 'संसद के गलियारों में इस घोटाले की गूँज सुनाई दे रही है' (The resonance of this scandal is being heard in the corridors of Parliament). Your grammar should be flawless, especially with feminine plural subjects like 'तालियाँ' or 'धमकियाँ'. You should also be able to contrast 'गूँजना' with more technical terms like 'अनुरणन' (reverberation) in acoustic discussions. At this level, 'गूँजना' is about the lasting trail a sound or event leaves behind in the collective consciousness.

At the C2 level, 'गूँजना' is integrated into your mastery of Hindi nuances, allowing you to appreciate its phonosemantic qualities. You understand that the very sound of the word—the nasalized 'gū' followed by the soft 'j' and 'nā'—mimics the acoustic phenomenon it describes. You can use it in philosophical contexts to discuss the resonance of existence or the 'echo' of the past in the present. You are comfortable using it in highly stylized prose, perhaps in a critique of a musical performance or a deep dive into the acoustics of ancient Indian architecture like the Gol Gumbaz, where a single sound 'गूँजता' multiple times. You can effortlessly switch between 'गूँजना', 'प्रतिध्वनित होना', and 'मुखरित होना' (to be voiced/resounded) to provide the exact texture needed for your expression. Your usage reflects a deep cultural immersion, knowing exactly how a 'गूँज' can represent anything from a haunting memory to a revolutionary call to arms that changes the course of history.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

गूँजना in 30 Seconds

गूँजना (Gūnjnā) is a Hindi verb meaning 'to echo' or 'to resound'.
It is an intransitive verb where the sound is the subject of the sentence.
It is used for physical echoes in spaces like halls and metaphorical echoes like fame.
Commonly paired with words like आवाज़ (voice), शोर (noise), and तालियाँ (applause).

The Hindi verb गूँजना (Gūnjnā) is a sensory powerhouse, primarily used to describe the acoustic phenomenon of sound reflecting off surfaces or filling a space with a lingering resonance. While its literal translation is 'to echo' or 'to resound,' its usage in Hindi culture is far more evocative than the clinical English definitions. It describes the way a temple bell's vibration stays in the air, the way a shout returns from a mountain peak, or the way a powerful leader's name fills a stadium. Unlike the English word 'echo' which often implies a distinct repetition, गूँजना covers the entire spectrum of reverberation—from the subtle humming of a bee to the thunderous roar of a crowd that seems to vibrate the very ground beneath your feet. It is an intransitive verb, meaning the sound itself is the subject that performs the action of echoing.

Acoustic Context: Used when a physical space like a hall, cave, or valley reflects sound waves back to the listener. It emphasizes the spatial quality of the noise.
Metaphorical Resonance: Used when an idea, a name, or a memory continues to have an impact or remains present in one's mind long after the initial event.

खाली कमरे में मेरी आवाज़ गूँज रही है। (My voice is echoing in the empty room.)

In daily life, you will encounter this word in literature, news reports, and casual conversation. If you walk into a large, unfurnished apartment in Mumbai, you might say, 'यहाँ आवाज़ गूँज रही है' (The voice is echoing here). If a famous singer performs at a concert, the next day's newspaper might headline, 'स्टेडियम में अरिजीत की आवाज़ गूँजी' (Arijit's voice resounded in the stadium). The word carries a certain weight; it suggests that the sound is not just heard, but felt. It occupies the environment. It is also deeply connected to the Sanskrit root 'guñj', which relates to humming or buzzing, suggesting a continuous, vibrating quality rather than a single sharp bounce-back of sound.

पूरे घर में बच्चों की हँसी गूँज उठी। (The laughter of children resounded throughout the whole house.)

Furthermore, 'गूँजना' is often paired with specific types of sounds. You will frequently hear it with 'तालियाँ' (applause), 'नारे' (slogans), and 'संगीत' (music). It evokes a sense of grandeur. In a political context, if a leader is very popular, people might say their name 'चारों दिशाओं में गूँज रहा है' (is echoing in all four directions). This implies omnipresence and fame. The word is versatile enough to describe both the haunting echo of a ghost story and the joyous resonance of a wedding celebration. Understanding this word requires moving beyond the dictionary and feeling the vibration of the sound it describes.

पहाड़ों के बीच शंख की ध्वनि गूँजती है। (The sound of the conch echoes among the mountains.)

Using गूँजना correctly involves understanding its status as an intransitive verb. This means the sound itself is the subject. In English, we might say 'The room echoed with his voice,' but in Hindi, the structure is more often 'His voice echoed in the room' (उसकी आवाज़ कमरे में गूँजी). The focus is on the sound's movement. Because it is a verb of action/state, it follows standard Hindi conjugation patterns for gender and number based on the sound (which is usually feminine like 'आवाज़' or masculine like 'शोर').

Present Continuous: आवाज़ गूँज रही है (The voice is echoing). Use this for ongoing sounds in a large hall or cave.
Past Indefinite: हॉल में तालियाँ गूँजीं (Applause resounded in the hall). Note the nasal 'n' at the end of 'गूँजीं' because 'तालियाँ' is feminine plural.

मंदिर में घंटों की आवाज़ गूँज रही थी। (The sound of bells was echoing in the temple.)

When using it metaphorically, the subject is often 'नाम' (name) or 'शब्द' (words). For example, 'उसकी बातें मेरे कानों में गूँज रही हैं' (His words are echoing in my ears). This is a very common expression to describe something you can't stop thinking about. Grammatically, 'बातें' is feminine plural, so we use 'गूँज रही हैं'. If you were talking about a 'गीत' (song), which is masculine, you would say 'गीत गूँज रहा है'.

उसकी सफलता की खबर पूरे शहर में गूँज गई। (The news of his success echoed throughout the city.)

In formal writing, you might see the compound verb form 'गूँज उठना' (to burst into echo). This adds a sense of suddenness. 'अचानक पूरा हॉल तालियों से गूँज उठा' (Suddenly the whole hall burst into echoes of applause). This construction is very popular in storytelling to create a dramatic atmosphere. Another variation is 'प्रतिध्वनित होना', which is the highly formal/Sanskritized version of 'गूँजना', used in technical acoustic contexts or high literature.

मेरे दिल में तुम्हारी यादें गूँजती हैं। (Your memories echo in my heart.)

If you are in India, गूँजना is a word you will hear in high-energy environments. One of the most common places is at a sports stadium. When a cricketer hits a six, commentators will often shout, 'पूरा स्टेडियम शोर से गूँज रहा है!' (The whole stadium is echoing with noise!). Similarly, during political rallies (रैली), the air is filled with 'नारे' (slogans). A reporter might describe the scene by saying, 'नेताजी के नाम के नारे चारों तरफ गूँज रहे थे' (Slogans of the leader's name were echoing everywhere).

Bollywood & Music: Songs often use this word to describe the enduring nature of love or music. Lyrics like 'तेरी आवाज़ मेरे सपनों में गूँजती है' (Your voice echoes in my dreams) are staples of romantic ballads.
Religious Ceremonies: In temples or mosques, the sound of 'भजन' (hymns) or 'अज़ान' (call to prayer) is described as 'गूँजना' because of the way it fills the surrounding space.

पहाड़ों की वादियों में संगीत गूँज रहा था। (Music was echoing in the valleys of the mountains.)

In news media, the word takes on a more metaphorical tone. If a major scandal occurs, journalists might say, 'इस घटना की गूँज संसद तक सुनाई दी' (The echo of this incident was heard up to the Parliament). Here, 'गूँज' (the noun form) or the verb 'गूँजना' describes the far-reaching impact of an event. It suggests that the news is so loud and significant that it cannot be contained in one place.

कक्षा में सन्नाटा था, फिर अचानक एक हँसी गूँजी। (There was silence in the class, then suddenly a laugh echoed.)

You will also hear this in school settings. A teacher might complain, 'गलियारे में इतना शोर क्यों गूँज रहा है?' (Why is so much noise echoing in the corridor?). In this context, it is a mild scolding. In literature, particularly in Hindi poetry (Kavita), 'गूँजना' is used to describe the resonance of truth, the sound of the soul, or the lasting impact of a poet's words. It is a word that connects the physical ear to the emotional heart.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make is trying to use गूँजना as a transitive verb. In English, you can say 'The cave echoed my voice.' If you translate this literally as 'गुफा ने मेरी आवाज़ गूँजी,' it is grammatically incorrect. In Hindi, the sound is the actor. You must say 'गुफा में मेरी आवाज़ गूँजी' (In the cave, my voice echoed). Remember: the sound does the echoing; the place is just where it happens.

Confusing with 'बजना' (Bajnā): 'बजना' means to ring or play (like a bell or music). 'गूँजना' is what happens *after* the bell rings. If you say 'घंटी गूँज रही है,' it means the sound is vibrating in the air. If you say 'घंटी बज रही है,' it means someone is ringing it.
The 'ne' Particle Mistake: Learners often apply the 'ne' rule to all past tense verbs. But since 'गूँजना' is intransitive, 'ne' is never used. Correct: 'आवाज़ गूँजी'. Incorrect: 'आवाज़ ने गूँजा'.

Incorrect: मैं अपनी आवाज़ गूँज रहा हूँ। (I am echoing my voice.)
Correct: मेरी आवाज़ गूँज रही है। (My voice is echoing.)

Another common mistake is confusing the verb 'गूँजना' with the noun 'गूँज' (echo). While they are related, they are used differently. 'वहाँ एक गूँज थी' (There was an echo) uses the noun. 'वहाँ आवाज़ गूँज रही थी' (The voice was echoing) uses the verb. Beginners often mix these up and say things like 'वहाँ आवाज़ गूँज थी,' which is like saying 'There voice echo was'—it makes no sense.

Incorrect: कमरे में शोर गूँज रही है।
Correct: कमरे में शोर गूँज रहा है। (Noise is echoing in the room.)

Lastly, don't overuse the word for every sound. If a sound is just loud but doesn't have a vibrating or reflecting quality, 'गूँजना' might be too dramatic. For a simple loud noise, 'तेज़ आवाज़' or 'शोर' is better. Use 'गूँजना' when you want to emphasize the way the sound fills the space or stays with you.

While गूँजना is the most common word for echoing, Hindi offers several alternatives depending on the register (formal vs. informal) and the specific nature of the sound. Understanding these nuances will help you sound more like a native speaker and less like a textbook.

प्रतिध्वनित होना (Pratidhvanit Honā): This is the pure Sanskrit-derived term. 'Prati' (back/against) + 'dhvani' (sound). It is used in scientific texts, high-end literature, or very formal speeches. If you're talking about the physics of sound, this is the word to use.
झंकृत होना (Jhankrit Honā): This specifically refers to a musical resonance, like the ringing of a sitar string or a bell. It implies a beautiful, melodic vibration rather than just a loud echo.
बजना (Bajnā): To ring or sound. While 'गूँजना' is the effect, 'बजना' is the act. Use 'बजना' for phones, doorbells, and instruments.

उसकी आवाज़ वादियों में प्रतिध्वनित हुई। (His voice was reflected/echoed in the valleys.)

In poetic contexts, you might find 'गूंज' used as a noun with the verb 'होना' (to be). For example, 'हर तरफ गूँज थी' (There was an echo everywhere). This is slightly different from the verb 'गूँजना' because it describes the state of the environment rather than the action of the sound. Another interesting word is 'थरथराना' (to vibrate/shiver), which describes the physical shaking caused by a very loud echoing sound.

संगीत की लहरें हवा में झंकृत हो रही थीं। (The waves of music were resonating in the air.)

When talking about fame or reputation, 'गूँजना' is often replaced by 'चर्चा होना' (to be discussed) or 'नाम होना' (to have a name). However, 'गूँजना' is much more powerful. If you say 'उसका नाम पूरी दुनिया में गूँज रहा है,' it sounds much more impressive than 'उसका नाम पूरी दुनिया में है.' It implies that his name is being shouted and celebrated in every corner.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"वक्ता के विचार श्रोताओं के मानस-पटल पर गूँजते रहे।"

Neutral

"पहाड़ों में हमारी आवाज़ गूँज रही थी।"

Informal

"भाई, तेरा नाम तो पूरे कॉलेज में गूँज रहा है!"

Child friendly

"देखो! गुफा में 'हेलो' बोलो, आवाज़ गूँजेगी!"

Slang

"उसकी बेइज्जती की गूँज दूर तक जाएगी।"

Fun Fact

The Sanskrit root 'guñj' is onomatopoeic, meaning the word sounds like the action it describes (the low humming of a bee). Over centuries, its meaning expanded from a low buzz to the grand resounding of a mountain echo.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈɡuːnd͡ʒ.nɑː/

US /ˈɡund͡ʒ.nɑ/

The primary stress is on the first syllable 'Gūnj'.

Rhymes With

बूझना (Būjhnā) सूझना (Sūjhnā) खोजना (Khojnā) पूजना (Pūjnā) जूझना (Jūjhnā) भीजना (Bhījnā) रीझना (Rījhnā) खीझना (Khījhnā)

Common Errors

Pronouncing it as 'Gunj-na' with a short 'u' like in 'gun'. It must be a long 'oo'.
Ignoring the nasal dot (bindu) and saying 'Gooj-na'.
Replacing the 'j' with a 'z' sound (Goonz-na).
Not aspirating the vowels correctly.
Confusing it with 'Goonjna' (to braid) which is spelled differently in some contexts, though rare.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize in text, but needs context to distinguish between literal and metaphorical.

Writing 4/5

Requires correct subject-verb agreement with gendered nouns like 'आवाज़' or 'शोर'.

Speaking 4/5

The nasalization of 'Gūnj' can be tricky for beginners.

Listening 3/5

Clear sound, but can be confused with other verbs ending in '-na'.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

आवाज़ (Voice) बोलना (To speak) खाली (Empty) पहाड़ (Mountain) सुनना (To listen)

Learn Next

प्रतिध्वनि (Echo - noun) झंकार (Tinkle/Jingle) सन्नाटा (Silence) प्रसिद्ध (Famous) प्रभाव (Impact)

Advanced

अनुनाद (Resonance) मुखरित (Voiced/Resounded) गुंजायमान (Resonating - adjective) अनुरणन (Reverberation) आहत-अनाहत (Struck-unstruck sound)

Grammar to Know

Intransitive Verb Agreement

आवाज़ (fem) गूँज रही है। शोर (masc) गूँज रहा है।

Compound Verb 'Uthna'

तालियाँ गूँज उठीं (Suddenly resounded).

Absence of 'ne' in Past Tense

आवाज़ गूँजी (Correct). आवाज़ ने गूँजा (Incorrect).

Causative Verbs

गूँजना (to echo) -> गूँजाना (to make something echo).

Nasalization (Anusvar)

Always include the dot over 'Gū' to represent the nasal sound.

Examples by Level

कमरा खाली है, इसलिए आवाज़ गूँज रही है।

The room is empty, so the voice is echoing.

Present continuous tense: गूँज रही है (feminine because of आवाज़).

पहाड़ पर चिल्लाओ, आवाज़ गूँजेगी।

Shout on the mountain, the voice will echo.

Future tense: गूँजेगी (feminine singular).

क्या यहाँ मेरी आवाज़ गूँजती है?

Does my voice echo here?

Simple present interrogative.

मंदिर में घंटी गूँजी।

The bell echoed in the temple.

Past indefinite: गूँजी (feminine singular).

हॉल में बहुत शोर गूँज रहा है।

A lot of noise is echoing in the hall.

Masculine singular: शोर गूँज रहा है.

गुफा में आवाज़ गूँजती है।

Voice echoes in the cave.

General fact in simple present.

वहाँ संगीत गूँज रहा था।

Music was echoing there.

Past continuous: गूँज रहा था.

मेरी बात सुनो, यह गूँज रही है।

Listen to my word, it is echoing.

Feminine singular: बात गूँज रही है.

स्टेडियम में तालियाँ गूँज उठीं।

Applause resounded in the stadium.

Compound verb: गूँज उठीं (feminine plural).

उसकी हँसी पूरे घर में गूँजती थी।

Her laughter used to echo throughout the house.

Past habitual: गूँजती थी.

पहाड़ों में बादलों की गरज गूँज रही है।

The thunder of clouds is echoing in the mountains.

Feminine singular: गरज गूँज रही है.

क्या आपने सुना? धमाका दूर तक गूँजा।

Did you hear? The blast echoed far away.

Past indefinite: गूँजा (masculine singular).

बच्चों का शोर गलियों में गूँज रहा है।

Children's noise is echoing in the streets.

Masculine singular: शोर गूँज रहा है.

इस बड़े हॉल में आपकी आवाज़ गूँजेगी।

Your voice will echo in this big hall.

Future tense: गूँजेगी.

रात के सन्नाटे में कुत्ते का भौंकना गूँजता है।

In the silence of the night, a dog's bark echoes.

Masculine singular: भौंकना गूँजता है.

उसके शब्द मेरे कानों में गूँज रहे हैं।

His words are echoing in my ears.

Masculine plural: शब्द गूँज रहे हैं.

पूरा हॉल राष्ट्रगान से गूँज उठा।

The whole hall resounded with the national anthem.

Compound verb for sudden action: गूँज उठा.

उसकी सफलता की कहानी चारों ओर गूँज रही है।

The story of his success is echoing everywhere.

Metaphorical use of echoing.

मंदिर में शंख की मधुर ध्वनि गूँजती है।

The sweet sound of the conch echoes in the temple.

Feminine singular: ध्वनि गूँजती है.

भीड़ में नेताजी का नाम गूँज रहा था।

The leader's name was echoing in the crowd.

Masculine singular: नाम गूँज रहा था.

जंगल में शेर की दहाड़ गूँजी।

The lion's roar echoed in the forest.

Feminine singular: दहाड़ गूँजी.

पुरानी यादें अक्सर मन में गूँजती हैं।

Old memories often echo in the mind.

Feminine plural: यादें गूँजती हैं.

क्या इस कमरे की बनावट आवाज़ को गूँजाती है?

Does the design of this room make the voice echo?

Causative form: गूँजाना (to make echo).

उसकी चीख सुनकर पूरा सन्नाटा गूँज उठा।

Hearing her scream, the whole silence resounded.

Poetic use of echoing silence.

कवि की आवाज़ कविता के अंत तक गूँजती रही।

The poet's voice kept echoing until the end of the poem.

Continuative aspect: गूँजती रही.

आंदोलन के नारे आज भी गलियों में गूँजते हैं।

The slogans of the movement still echo in the streets today.

Masculine plural: नारे गूँजते हैं.

घाटी में गिरते पानी का शोर गूँज रहा था।

The noise of falling water was echoing in the valley.

Masculine singular: शोर गूँज रहा था.

संसद में विपक्ष के नेताओं की आवाज़ गूँजी।

The voices of opposition leaders echoed in the Parliament.

Feminine singular: आवाज़ गूँजी.

उसकी चेतावनी मेरे कानों में गूँजती रही।

His warning kept echoing in my ears.

Feminine singular: चेतावनी गूँजती रही.

स्टेडियम 'सचिन-सचिन' के नारों से गूँज उठा।

The stadium resounded with 'Sachin-Sachin' slogans.

Instrumental case with 'se'.

इस गुंबद के नीचे एक छोटा सा शब्द भी गूँजता है।

Under this dome, even a small word echoes.

Masculine singular: शब्द गूँजता है.

इतिहास में वीरों की गाथाएँ गूँजती हैं।

The sagas of heroes echo in history.

Feminine plural: गाथाएँ गूँजती हैं.

शास्त्रीय संगीत की तानें पूरे सभागार में गूँज रही थीं।

The notes of classical music were echoing throughout the auditorium.

Feminine plural: तानें गूँज रही थीं.

उनकी बातों में एक अजीब सा आत्मविश्वास गूँजता है।

A strange confidence resonates in their words.

Metaphorical resonance of a quality.

युद्ध के नगाड़ों की गूँज अभी भी सुनाई दे रही थी।

The echo of war drums was still being heard.

Noun form: गूँज.

उस महान नेता के विचार आज भी जन-मानस में गूँजते हैं।

The thoughts of that great leader still echo in the public mind.

Advanced vocabulary: जन-मानस (public mind).

सन्नाटे को चीरती हुई एक आवाज़ गूँजी और फिर सब शांत हो गया।

A voice echoed, piercing the silence, and then everything became quiet.

Participle phrase: सन्नाटे को चीरती हुई.

इस पुरानी हवेली के हर कोने में अतीत गूँजता है।

The past echoes in every corner of this old mansion.

Abstract subject: अतीत (past).

उनकी हँसी की गूँज-अनुगूँज से वातावरण जीवंत हो उठा।

The environment came alive with the echoes and re-echoes of her laughter.

Reduplicative compound: गूँज-अनुगूँज.

क्या यह संभव है कि ब्रह्मांड में अभी भी बिग बैंग की गूँज है?

Is it possible that the echo of the Big Bang is still in the universe?

Scientific/Cosmological context.

दार्शनिक के मौन में भी सत्य की गूँज सुनाई देती है।

Even in the philosopher's silence, the resonance of truth is heard.

Oxymoronic resonance (echo in silence).

साहित्यिक कृतियों में युगीन समस्याओं की गूँज साफ़ देखी जा सकती है।

The resonance of contemporary problems can be clearly seen in literary works.

Complex abstract usage.

उसकी कविताओं में विरह की वेदना गूँजती है।

The pain of separation resonates in his poems.

Emotional resonance.

इस ऐतिहासिक स्थल की दीवारों में सदियों का शोर गूँज रहा है।

The noise of centuries is echoing in the walls of this historical site.

Poetic hyperbole.

संगीतकार ने ध्वनि को इस तरह नियंत्रित किया कि वह गूँजती ही रही।

The musician controlled the sound in such a way that it just kept echoing.

Emphasis on duration.

राजनीतिक गलियारों में संभावित गठबंधन की गूँज तेज़ हो गई है।

The resonance of a potential alliance has intensified in political corridors.

Idiomatic use for rumors/discussions.

अनादि काल से चली आ रही परंपराएँ हमारे जीवन में गूँजती हैं।

Traditions coming from time immemorial resonate in our lives.

Temporal resonance.

उसकी आवाज़ में जो गूँज है, वह श्रोताओं को मंत्रमुग्ध कर देती है।

The resonance in his voice mesmerizes the listeners.

Quality of voice.

Common Collocations

आवाज़ गूँजना

तालियाँ गूँजना

नारे गूँजना

नाम गूँजना

शोर गूँजना

धमाका गूँजना

संगीत गूँजना

कानों में गूँजना

हंसी गूँजना

चारों दिशाओं में गूँजना

Common Phrases

आवाज़ का गूँजना

— The echoing of a voice. Used to describe the acoustic quality of a place.

यहाँ आवाज़ का गूँजना सामान्य है।

गूँजती हुई आवाज़

— An echoing voice. Used as an adjective phrase.

उसने गूँजती हुई आवाज़ में बात की।

दिमाग में गूँजना

— To echo in the mind. Used for thoughts or songs you can't forget.

वह गाना मेरे दिमाग में गूँज रहा है।

सन्नाटे में गूँजना

— To echo in the silence. Used for a sound that is very noticeable because it's quiet.

सन्नाटे में घड़ी की टिक-टिक गूँजती है।

दूर तक गूँजना

— To echo far and wide. Used for loud sounds or big news.

शेर की दहाड़ दूर तक गूँजती है।

हर तरफ गूँजना

— To echo everywhere. Used for fame or pervasive sounds.

उसका नाम हर तरफ गूँज रहा है।

फिर से गूँजना

— To echo again. Used for repeating sounds.

वही आवाज़ फिर से गूँजी।

गूँजने वाला

— Something that echoes. Used as a noun or adjective.

यह गूँजने वाला कमरा है।

पहाड़ों में गूँजना

— To echo in the mountains. A classic literal usage.

मेरी आवाज़ पहाड़ों में गूँज रही थी।

अतीत की गूँज

— Echo of the past. Used for historical or nostalgic contexts.

इस किले में अतीत की गूँज है।

Often Confused With

गूँजना vs बजना (Bajnā)

Bajnā is the act of making a sound (ringing a bell); Gūnjnā is the lingering echo that follows.

गूँजना vs गूँजाना (Gūnjānā)

Gūnjānā is causative (to make something echo); Gūnjnā is the sound echoing on its own.

गूँजना vs गूँज (Gūnj)

Gūnj is the noun (an echo); Gūnjnā is the verb (to echo).

Idioms & Expressions

"कानों में गूँजना"

— To keep hearing something in one's mind; to be unable to forget someone's words.

टीचर की डाँट अभी भी मेरे कानों में गूँज रही है।

Informal/Common

"नाम गूँजना"

— To be very famous or widely discussed.

आजकल हर जगह उसी का नाम गूँज रहा है।

Colloquial

"गूँज सुनाई देना"

— To see the far-reaching effects of an event.

इस फैसले की गूँज विदेश तक सुनाई देगी।

Journalistic

"शोर गूँजना"

— To be filled with life and activity.

त्योहारों में बाज़ार शोर से गूँजते हैं।

Neutral

"दिल में गूँजना"

— To resonate deeply with one's emotions.

उसकी कविता मेरे दिल में गूँज गई।

Poetic

"यादें गूँजना"

— To be haunted or comforted by persistent memories.

पुराने घर में बचपन की यादें गूँजती हैं।

Literary

"चारों ओर गूँजना"

— To be omnipresent or universally known.

शांति का संदेश चारों ओर गूँजना चाहिए।

Formal

"हवा में गूँजना"

— To be a prevailing sentiment or rumor.

हवा में बदलाव की गूँज है।

Metaphorical

"सन्नाटा गूँजना"

— To describe an oppressive or heavy silence (paradoxical).

उस सुनसान घर में सन्नाटा गूँज रहा था।

Literary

"गूँज-अनुगूँज होना"

— To have multiple repercussions or repeated impacts.

इस घटना की गूँज-अनुगूँज लंबे समय तक रहेगी।

Formal

Easily Confused

गूँजना vs गूँजना vs बजना

Both relate to sound produced by objects.

Bajnā is for the source of the sound (The phone is ringing). Gūnjnā is for the spatial effect (The sound is echoing).

फोन बजा (Phone rang). आवाज़ गूँजी (Voice echoed).

गूँजना vs गूँजना vs बोलना

Both involve voices.

Bolnā is the act of speaking. Gūnjnā is the acoustic reflection of that speech.

वह बोला (He spoke). उसकी आवाज़ गूँजी (His voice echoed).

गूँजना vs गूँजना vs सुनाना

Both involve the auditory experience.

Sunānā is to narrate or make someone hear. Gūnjnā is the physical property of the sound.

उसने कहानी सुनाई। उसकी आवाज़ गूँजी।

गूँजना vs गूँजना vs फैलना

Both can describe news or sound spreading.

Phailnā is general spreading (like fire or a smell). Gūnjnā is specifically about the resonance of sound or fame.

खबर फैली। खबर गूँजी।

गूँजना vs गूँजना vs झंकार

Both describe vibrating sounds.

Jhankār is a noun for a tinkle or melodic chime. Gūnjnā is the verb for the overall echo.

पायल की झंकार गूँजी।

Sentence Patterns

[Sound] [Place] में गूँज रहा है।

आवाज़ कमरे में गूँज रही है।

[Sound] [Place] में गूँजा।

धमाका दूर तक गूँजा।

[Place] [Sound] से गूँज उठा।

स्टेडियम तालियों से गूँज उठा।

[Abstract Subject] [Person] के कानों में गूँज रहा है।

उसकी बातें मेरे कानों में गूँज रही हैं।

[Event] की गूँज [Place] तक सुनाई दी।

इस घोटाले की गूँज संसद तक सुनाई दी।

हर तरफ [Subject] की गूँज है।

हर तरफ जीत की गूँज है।

[Subject] का गूँजना [Effect] पैदा करता है।

मंत्रों का गूँजना शांति पैदा करता है।

[Time] की गूँज [Subject] में महसूस की जा सकती है।

अतीत की गूँज इन दीवारों में महसूस की जा सकती है।

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Common in both spoken and written Hindi, especially in descriptive and emotional contexts.

Common Mistakes

कमरे ने आवाज़ गूँजी। → कमरे में आवाज़ गूँजी।
You cannot say the room echoed the voice using 'ne'. The room is the location (me), and the voice is the subject.
शोर गूँज रही है। → शोर गूँज रहा है।
'शोर' (noise) is masculine, so the verb must be 'रहा है', not 'रही है'.
मैं अपनी आवाज़ गूँज रहा हूँ। → मेरी आवाज़ गूँज रही है।
You cannot 'echo' your voice as an action you do. Your voice echoes on its own. Use the intransitive structure.
वहाँ एक गूँजना था। → वहाँ एक गूँज थी।
You used the verb infinitive instead of the noun. 'Gūnj' is the noun (echo), 'Gūnjnā' is the verb (to echo).
आवाज़ गूँजता है। → आवाज़ गूँजती है।
'आवाज़' is feminine, so the verb must end in '-tī'.

Tips

Subject-Verb Agreement

Always check the gender of the sound. 'आवाज़' and 'हँसी' are feminine. 'शोर', 'नाम', and 'संगीत' are masculine. This is the most common place for errors.

Compound Verbs

Use 'गूँज उठना' for a sudden, dramatic echo. It sounds much more natural in storytelling than just 'गूँजा'.

The Nasal Dot

Don't forget the 'bindu' (dot) over the 'Gū'. It's not 'Goojna', it's 'Gūnjnā'. The nasal sound is what gives the word its resonant quality.

Metaphorical Fame

If you want to say someone is famous, say 'उनका नाम चारों तरफ गूँज रहा है'. It's a high-level way to express widespread recognition.

Empty vs. Full

In Hindi, 'गूँजना' is strongly associated with 'खाली' (empty) spaces. Use these two words together to describe an unfurnished room.

News Keywords

In Indian news, listen for 'गूँज' when they talk about the 'impact' of a new law or a political scandal. It means the 'reverberations' of the event.

Poetic Flair

In poetry, pair 'गूँजना' with 'सन्नाटा' (silence) to create a powerful contrast, describing a silence so deep it almost vibrates.

Temple Context

When visiting a temple, use 'गूँजना' for the sound of the 'शंख' (conch) or 'घंटा' (large bell). It's the most appropriate word for those sacred sounds.

No 'ne' Particle

Never use 'ne' with 'गूँजना' in the past tense. It's 'आवाज़ गूँजी', never 'आवाज़ ने गूँजी'. This is because the verb is intransitive.

The Sound of Echo

The word itself sounds like a hum. Let the 'Gūūū' sound travel in your mouth to remember its meaning.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'GOON' in a 'JUNgle'. When he shouts, his voice goes 'GOON-J-na' through the trees. Or, think of the 'OO' sound as the sound traveling through a long, empty tube.

Visual Association

Imagine a giant bell in a mountain temple. When it is struck, see the sound waves (like ripples in water) traveling out and bouncing back from the snowy peaks.

Word Web

Echo Mountain Empty Room Temple Bell Applause Fame Memory Vibration

Challenge

Try to find a large room or a stairwell today. Make a sound and say out loud: 'यहाँ मेरी आवाज़ गूँज रही है'. Do this three times in different locations.

Word Origin

The word 'गूँजना' originates from the Sanskrit root 'गुञ्ज्' (guñj), which primarily means to hum, buzz, or murmur like a bee.

Original meaning: To hum or buzz.

Indo-Aryan

Cultural Context

No specific sensitivities, but be aware that in poetic contexts, 'गूँजना' can describe haunting or painful memories, so use it with appropriate emotional tone.

English speakers often use 'echo' mainly for physical sound, but 'गूँजना' is used much more frequently for metaphorical impact in Hindi, similar to how 'resonate' is used in English academic settings.

The Gol Gumbaz 'Whispering Gallery' in Karnataka. Bollywood song 'Tere Bina Zindagi Se' (the resonance of silence). Political slogans like 'Jai Hind' echoing in rallies.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Nature/Outdoors

पहाड़ों की गूँज
घाटी में गूँजना
नदी के किनारे शोर गूँजना
जंगल में दहाड़ गूँजना

Large Buildings

खाली कमरे में गूँजना
हॉल में तालियाँ गूँजना
स्टेडियम में शोर गूँजना
मंदिर में घंटियाँ गूँजना

Metaphorical/Fame

नाम गूँजना
ख्याति गूँजना
खबर गूँजना
विचारों का गूँजना

Psychological

कानों में गूँजना
यादों का गूँजना
सपनों में गूँजना
मन में गूँजना

Events/Protests

नारे गूँजना
भाषण गूँजना
संगीत गूँजना
धमाका गूँजना

Conversation Starters

"क्या आपने कभी पहाड़ों में अपनी आवाज़ गूँजते हुए सुनी है?"

"इस कमरे में आवाज़ बहुत गूँज रही है, क्या आपको भी ऐसा लगता है?"

"किस गायक की आवाज़ आपके दिल में गूँजती है?"

"क्या आपको लगता है कि पुराने किलो में इतिहास की गूँज होती है?"

"जब आप अकेले होते हैं, तो आपके कानों में क्या गूँजता है?"

Journal Prompts

किसी ऐसी घटना के बारे में लिखें जिसकी गूँज आपके जीवन में आज भी है।

एक खाली घर का वर्णन करें जहाँ हर छोटी आवाज़ गूँजती हो।

अगर आपकी सफलता की गूँज पूरी दुनिया में हो, तो आप कैसा महसूस करेंगे?

प्रकृति के उन शब्दों के बारे में लिखें जो पहाड़ों और वादियों में गूँजते हैं।

मौन और गूँज के बीच के संबंध पर अपने विचार लिखें।

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, it can be used for any sound. You can say 'धमाका गूँजा' (The blast echoed) or 'चीख गूँजी' (The scream echoed). It simply describes the acoustic effect, whether the sound is pleasant or scary.

Not directly as in 'I echo'. You must say 'My voice echoes' (मेरी आवाज़ गूँजती है). The sound is always the subject. However, metaphorically, you can say a person's name is echoing (उनका नाम गूँज रहा है).

'गूँज' is the common, everyday word for echo. 'प्रतिध्वनि' is more formal and scientific. If you are in a cave with friends, use 'गूँज'. If you are writing a paper on physics, use 'प्रतिध्वनि'.

You would say 'कमरा हँसी से गूँज उठा' or 'कमरे में हँसी गूँजी'. Note that 'हँसी' (laughter) is the sound that does the echoing.

Yes, it follows the standard conjugation rules for '-nā' verbs in Hindi. It changes to गूँजता, गूँजती, गूँजते, गूँजा, गूँजी, etc., based on the gender and number of the subject (the sound).

Yes: 'संगीत गूँज रहा है'. Since 'संगीत' (music) is masculine, we use 'रहा है'.

No, 'to ring' is 'बजना'. 'गूँजना' is the vibration or echo that happens after or during a loud sound.

This is a poetic way of saying 'echoes and re-echoes'. It is often used in literature to describe a sound that bounces back multiple times or an event with many consequences.

Yes, it's a very common metaphor. 'पुरानी यादें मन में गूँजती हैं' (Old memories echo in the mind). It suggests the memories are vivid and persistent.

'गूँज रहा है' is the continuous present (is echoing right now). 'गूँजता है' is the simple present (echoes generally/habitually). Use 'गूँजता है' for facts like 'In this cave, sound echoes'.