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A2 noun 10 min read

caroço

Examples Notes & Tips caroço in 30 Seconds
Explanation caroço in your Level:
At the A1 level, you should learn 'caroço' primarily in the context of food. It is a masculine noun ('o caroço'). You will use it when talking about fruits like peaches or olives. It is important for safety—knowing that a fruit has a 'caroço' means you shouldn't bite hard into the middle. You might hear it in simple sentences like 'A azeitona tem caroço' (The olive has a pit). At this stage, just focus on the physical object found in fruit. Don't worry about the metaphorical meanings yet. Just remember: 'caroço' = pit/stone.
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At the A2 level, you expand your use of 'caroço' to include cooking and basic health. You can now describe things as having 'muitos caroços' (many pits/lumps). You might use it to describe a sauce that didn't turn out right: 'O molho tem caroços' (The sauce has lumps). You also start to use it for physical bumps on the body in a very basic way. You should also learn the plural form and notice that the sound of the 'o' changes when you say 'caroços'. This is a good time to learn the difference between 'semente' (small seeds) and 'caroço' (big pits).
At the B1 level, you should become familiar with the most common idiom: 'tem caroço nesse angu'. This means 'something is fishy' or 'there is a hidden problem'. You can use this in social situations to express suspicion. You also learn to use 'caroço' in more descriptive ways, such as describing the texture of a mattress or a piece of wood. You might use it in a medical context when talking to a doctor, though you might also start to hear the more formal word 'nódulo'. You understand that 'caroço' implies something hard and distinct from its surroundings.
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At the B2 level, you can use 'caroço' fluently in various contexts. You understand the nuances between 'caroço', 'grumo', and 'pelota' in cooking. You can discuss the botanical structure of fruits using this term. You are comfortable with the metaphony (vowel change) in the plural form. You might use 'caroço' metaphorically to describe a 'difficult person' or a 'tough nut to crack' in certain regional slangs. You can also use it to describe imperfections in materials like walls, fabrics, or metals. Your vocabulary is rich enough to choose 'caroço' over 'semente' accurately every time.
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At the C1 level, you recognize 'caroço' in literature and complex media. You understand its use in regional dialects across the Lusophone world, including how it might vary between Brazil and Portugal. You can use the word in abstract discussions about problems that are 'hard to swallow' or 'central' to a conflict. You are aware of the word's etymology and how it relates to other Romance languages. You can use it in highly descriptive writing to evoke specific textures or feelings of discomfort. You also know the rare slang meanings, such as references to money or bribes in specific historical or social contexts.
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At the C2 level, you have a masterly grasp of 'caroço'. You can play with the word in puns or sophisticated metaphors. You understand its place in the history of the Portuguese language and its various dialectal manifestations. You can distinguish between the 'caroço' of a fruit and the 'caroço' of a problem with poetic precision. You are comfortable using it in any register, from the most informal street slang to semi-formal medical or culinary discussions. You can explain the 'angu' idiom to others with full cultural context, including the history of the dish and the social implications of the phrase.
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Examples Notes & Tips

caroço in 30 Seconds

  • Caroço means a fruit pit or stone, like in peaches.
  • It also describes lumps in sauces, porridge, or dough.
  • Medically, it refers to a bump or lump felt under the skin.
  • The famous idiom 'caroço no angu' means something is suspicious.

The Portuguese word caroço is a versatile noun that primarily refers to the hard, central part of certain fruits, commonly known in English as a 'pit' or 'stone'. However, its meaning extends far beyond the orchard. In a broader sense, it describes any small, hard, or compact mass of substance, often one that is irregular in shape or unexpected in its context. Understanding 'caroço' requires navigating both the culinary world and the physical world of textures and medical observations.

Botanical Context
In botany, a caroço is the endocarp of a drupe fruit, which encloses the seed. Think of the hard center of a peach, a cherry, or an olive. Unlike a 'semente' (seed), which can be soft or tiny like those in a tomato, a caroço is specifically the woody, protective layer. When you are eating a 'pêssego' (peach) or 'azeitona' (olive), you must be careful not to bite down on the caroço.

Cuidado ao comer a azeitona, pois ela ainda tem o caroço.

Physical Texture and Lumps
Beyond fruit, 'caroço' refers to unwanted lumps in mixtures. If you are making a sauce or a 'mingau' (porridge) and the flour doesn't dissolve correctly, you will end up with 'caroços' in your food. In a medical or physical sense, it refers to a bump or lump felt under the skin, such as a cyst or a swollen lymph node. If someone says 'senti um caroço no pescoço' (I felt a lump in my neck), they are describing a physical mass that requires attention.

The word carries a connotation of something being 'in the way' or 'hard'. Whether it is the pit that stops you from chewing freely or the lump in a sauce that ruins the smoothness, a caroço is usually something distinct from its surroundings. Culturally, the presence of a caroço often signals a need for caution or a hidden problem, as seen in the famous idiom 'tem caroço nesse angu', which suggests that something suspicious or hidden is going on beneath the surface of a situation. This metaphorical depth makes 'caroço' a vital word for intermediate learners to master, as it bridges the gap between literal description and idiomatic expression.

O creme ficou cheio de caroços porque não mexi bem.

Metaphorical Usage
Metaphorically, 'caroço' represents the 'core' or 'hard truth' of a matter. While 'núcleo' is more technical, 'caroço' is more visceral. It is the part that remains when everything else is stripped away. In some contexts, it can even refer to money or a bribe, though this is very specific slang. Mostly, you will encounter it in daily life related to food safety, cooking quality, and personal health checks. It is an essential noun for navigating a supermarket, a kitchen, or a doctor's office in a Portuguese-speaking country.

Using 'caroço' correctly involves identifying whether you are talking about a botanical object, a culinary texture, or a physical sensation. Because it is a masculine noun, it always takes masculine articles (o, um) and adjectives (duro, pequeno, indesejado).

In the Kitchen
When preparing fruit, the most common verb used with caroço is 'tirar' (to take out) or 'remover' (to remove). For example, 'Você precisa tirar o caroço da manga antes de bater no liquidificador' (You need to remove the mango pit before blending it). When cooking grains or sauces, 'caroço' refers to clumps. 'Mexa o molho constantemente para não formar caroços' (Stir the sauce constantly so lumps don't form). Here, the word 'pelotas' is a synonym often used in culinary contexts.

Esta cereja não tem caroço, pode comer sem medo.

Medical and Body Descriptions
If you find a lump on your body, 'caroço' is the standard informal word. A doctor might use 'nódulo' or 'protuberância', but a patient will almost always say 'caroço'. 'Doutor, apareceu um caroço estranho no meu braço' (Doctor, a strange lump appeared on my arm). It implies something palpable and distinct. It is also used for external objects, like a 'caroço' in a mattress or a pillow that makes it uncomfortable to sleep.

O colchão velho estava cheio de caroços desconfortáveis.

Quantifying and Describing
Adjectives commonly paired with caroço include 'duro' (hard), 'grande' (large), 'pequeno' (small), and 'áspero' (rough). Because a caroço is a physical object, you can count them: 'Havia três caroços de pêssego no prato' (There were three peach pits on the plate). In the singular, it can also act as a collective descriptor for texture: 'A massa ficou um caroço só' (The dough became one big lump/mess), though this is more figurative.

In summary, 'caroço' is your go-to word for anything hard and central in a fruit, or any annoying lump in a liquid or on a surface. It is a concrete noun that is essential for precise description in everyday Portuguese. Whether you are complaining about a bad pillow, describing a recipe's failure, or talking about a snack, this word will appear frequently.

If you walk through a 'feira' (open-air market) in Brazil or Portugal, you will hear 'caroço' constantly. Vendors might shout about 'azeitonas sem caroço' (pitted olives) or warn you that certain fruits have 'caroços grandes'. It is a staple of the culinary vocabulary. In the kitchen, grandmothers and mothers will warn children: 'Cuidado para não engolir o caroço!' (Be careful not to swallow the pit!).

Daily Conversations
You will hear it in casual health discussions. Friends might discuss a 'caroço' they found after a workout or a bump from an insect bite. It is also common in discussions about construction or DIY projects; if a wall isn't smooth after plastering, a worker might say it has 'caroços'. In the textile industry or when buying clothes, a 'caroço' in the fabric refers to a pill or a knot that shouldn't be there.

Tem um caroço na parede que precisa ser lixado.

In Literature and Media
In Brazilian 'telenovelas' or news reports, the phrase 'tem caroço nesse angu' is a classic. It is used whenever a journalist or a character suspects a conspiracy or a hidden motive. It’s so common that sometimes people just say 'tem caroço...' and leave the rest to the listener's imagination. You might also hear it in songs, particularly in Samba or MPB, where it might be used as a metaphor for a difficult situation or a 'hard' person.

A política local é complicada; sempre tem caroço nesse angu.

In a medical setting, while a doctor might use more formal terms, they will often switch to 'caroço' when explaining things to a patient to ensure they are understood. 'Esse caroço é apenas uma glândula inflamada' (This lump is just an inflamed gland). Therefore, 'caroço' is a bridge between technical language and the common tongue, making it one of the most practical words to know for real-world interaction.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make is using 'semente' (seed) and 'caroço' (pit/stone) interchangeably. While in English we sometimes call everything a 'seed', Portuguese is more specific based on the hardness and size of the object.

Semente vs. Caroço
Use 'semente' for small, often edible or soft seeds like those in oranges, grapes, watermelons, or tomatoes. Use 'caroço' for the large, hard, woody centers of fruits like mangoes, peaches, avocados (abacates), and olives. Calling an avocado pit a 'semente' sounds slightly unnatural to a native speaker, though they will understand you. Calling a grape seed a 'caroço' sounds like you are describing a giant, hard object that shouldn't be there.

Errado: A uva tem um caroço pequeno. (Better: semente)

Pronunciation Pitfalls
A common pronunciation mistake involves the plural form. In the singular 'caroço', the second 'o' is closed, sounding like the 'o' in 'go'. In the plural 'caroços', the second 'o' opens up, sounding more like the 'o' in 'hot' or 'door'. This is called metaphony. Many learners keep the vowel closed in the plural, which is a tell-tale sign of a non-native accent. Practice saying /ka-RO-su/ vs /ka-RÓ-sus/.

Os caroços (open 'o') das mangas são muito grandes.

Another mistake is using 'caroço' for a 'lump in the throat' (the feeling of being about to cry). In Portuguese, that specific sensation is called 'nó na garganta'. If you say you have a 'caroço na garganta', a Brazilian might think you literally have a physical tumor or a piece of fruit stuck there! Context is key to avoiding these awkward misunderstandings.

While 'caroço' is the most common word for a pit or a general lump, Portuguese offers several alternatives depending on the level of formality and the specific nature of the object.

Nódulo
This is the medical equivalent of 'caroço'. If you are reading a medical report or speaking to a specialist, you will see 'nódulo'. It is more precise and sounds professional. While you might tell a friend you found a 'caroço', a doctor will tell you they found a 'nódulo'.
Semente
As discussed, this is for seeds. Use this for things that are meant to be planted or are small and numerous within a fruit (like passion fruit/maracujá or watermelon/melancia).
Pelota
Used specifically for lumps in liquids, powders, or fabrics. If your flour clumps up in the milk, you have 'pelotas'. It emphasizes the round, ball-like shape of the lump.

O médico examinou o nódulo com cuidado.

Grumo
A more technical or 'fancy' word for a lump in a liquid. You might see this on the back of a shampoo bottle or in a sophisticated cookbook. 'Sem grumos' means 'smooth/lump-free'.

In summary, choose 'caroço' for everyday fruit pits and physical bumps. Switch to 'nódulo' for medical contexts, 'semente' for small seeds, and 'pelota' or 'grumo' for cooking mishaps. Knowing these distinctions will make your Portuguese sound much more natural and precise.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"O paciente apresenta um nódulo (caroço) na região axilar."

Neutral

"Por favor, remova o caroço da manga."

Informal

"Cara, tem caroço nesse angu, o chefe tá estranho."

Child friendly

"Cuidado para não morder o caroço da cereja!"

Slang

"Aquele cara é um caroço, ninguém aguenta."

Fun Fact

The word is related to 'carocha' (beetle) in some dialects because of the hard shell/exterior common to both.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /kɐ.ˈɾɔ.su/
US /ka.ˈɾo.su/
Second syllable (ca-RO-ço).
Rhymes With
almoço pescoço poço moço osso fosso colosso reboço
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing the plural with a closed 'o' (it should be open).
  • Pronouncing the 'r' like an English 'r' instead of a tap.
  • Confusing the 'ç' (s sound) with a 'z' sound.
  • Nasalizing the first 'o' incorrectly.
  • Stressing the first syllable instead of the second.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize in context, especially food.

Writing 3/5

Need to remember the 'ç' and masculine gender.

Speaking 4/5

The plural metaphony is tricky for learners.

Listening 2/5

Distinct sound, usually clear.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

fruta comer duro pequeno azeitona

Learn Next

semente nódulo grumo polpa casca

Advanced

endocarpo metafonia angu protuberância cisto

Grammar to Know

Metaphony in Plurals

O caroço (/o/) -> Os caroços (/ɔ/).

Gender of Nouns ending in -o

O caroço is masculine.

Use of 'ç'

Caroço uses 'ç' for the /s/ sound between vowels.

Adjective Agreement

Caroço duro, caroços duros.

Preposition 'com/sem'

Azeitona com caroço / Azeitona sem caroço.

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Examples by Level

1

O pêssego tem um caroço grande.

The peach has a large pit.

Masculine singular noun.

2

Eu não gosto de caroço na azeitona.

I don't like pits in olives.

Direct object.

3

Cuidado com o caroço!

Watch out for the pit!

Exclamatory phrase.

4

A manga tem um caroço duro.

The mango has a hard pit.

Adjective agreement (duro).

5

Onde eu coloco o caroço?

Where do I put the pit?

Question form.

6

Esta uva não tem caroço.

This grape has no pit (seed).

Negation.

7

O caroço é pequeno.

The pit is small.

Linking verb 'ser'.

8

Eu tirei o caroço da fruta.

I took the pit out of the fruit.

Past tense verb 'tirar'.

1

O mingau ficou com muitos caroços.

The porridge ended up with many lumps.

Plural form with metaphony.

2

Senti um caroço no meu pescoço.

I felt a lump in my neck.

Medical context.

3

Você prefere azeitona com ou sem caroço?

Do you prefer olives with or without pits?

Prepositional phrase.

4

O molho está cheio de caroços de farinha.

The sauce is full of flour lumps.

Descriptive phrase.

5

Não engula o caroço da ameixa.

Don't swallow the plum pit.

Imperative negative.

6

O colchão tem um caroço incomodando.

The mattress has a lump that is bothering me.

Gerund 'incomodando'.

7

Existem azeitonas recheadas sem caroço.

There are stuffed olives without pits.

Complex noun phrase.

8

O caroço da cereja é muito pequeno.

The cherry pit is very small.

Genitive 'da cereja'.

1

Tem caroço nesse angu, eu sei disso.

There is something fishy going on, I know it.

Idiomatic expression.

2

O médico disse que o caroço é benigno.

The doctor said the lump is benign.

Noun as subject.

3

A massa do bolo não pode ter nenhum caroço.

The cake batter cannot have any lumps.

Modal verb 'poder'.

4

Ele encontrou um caroço estranho na parede.

He found a strange lump on the wall.

Adjective placement.

5

Tire todos os caroços antes de servir o suco.

Remove all the pits before serving the juice.

Instructional tone.

6

O tecido da camisa tem alguns caroços de linha.

The shirt fabric has some thread lumps/pills.

Partitive 'alguns'.

7

Eu sempre tiro o caroço da tâmara.

I always remove the pit from the date.

Frequency adverb 'sempre'.

8

O cachorro engoliu o caroço da manga.

The dog swallowed the mango pit.

Past tense 'engoliu'.

1

A textura da tinta ficou ruim por causa dos caroços.

The paint texture got bad because of the lumps.

Causal phrase 'por causa de'.

2

Não confio nele, acho que tem caroço nesse angu.

I don't trust him; I think there's more to this story.

Subordinate clause.

3

O tratamento para o caroço será iniciado amanhã.

The treatment for the lump will be started tomorrow.

Passive voice construction.

4

A polenta deve ser mexida para evitar caroços.

The polenta must be stirred to avoid lumps.

Infinitive to express purpose.

5

O caroço do abacate pode ser usado para plantar.

The avocado pit can be used for planting.

Passive potential.

6

A superfície da estrada estava cheia de caroços de asfalto.

The road surface was full of asphalt lumps.

Noun of material 'de asfalto'.

7

Ela sentiu um pequeno caroço ao apalpar o braço.

She felt a small lump while feeling her arm.

Gerund 'apalpando' used as 'ao apalpar'.

8

Remover o caroço exige uma técnica específica.

Removing the pit requires a specific technique.

Subject as an infinitive phrase.

1

A investigação revelou que realmente havia caroço naquele angu.

The investigation revealed that there really was a hidden agenda.

Past perfect 'havia'.

2

O nódulo, popularmente chamado de caroço, foi analisado.

The nodule, popularly called a lump, was analyzed.

Appositive phrase.

3

A sedimentação no fundo do frasco formou um caroço sólido.

The sedimentation at the bottom of the flask formed a solid lump.

Scientific register.

4

O autor usa o 'caroço' como metáfora para a resistência.

The author uses 'pit' as a metaphor for resistance.

Literary analysis.

5

A pureza do metal foi comprometida por pequenos caroços.

The purity of the metal was compromised by small lumps.

Technical context.

6

É preciso peneirar a farinha para que não surjam caroços.

It is necessary to sift the flour so that lumps do not appear.

Subjunctive mood 'surjam'.

7

O caroço da questão reside na falta de verbas.

The core of the matter lies in the lack of funds.

Metaphorical subject.

8

A polpa da fruta adere fortemente ao caroço.

The fruit pulp adheres strongly to the pit.

Verb 'aderir' with preposition 'a'.

1

A despeito da aparência lisa, a intriga mantinha seu caroço.

Despite the smooth appearance, the intrigue maintained its hard core.

Concessive phrase 'A despeito de'.

2

A metafonia de 'caroço' para 'caroços' é um traço fonológico clássico.

The metaphony from 'caroço' to 'caroços' is a classic phonological trait.

Linguistic terminology.

3

O mestre de obras explicou a origem dos caroços no reboco.

The foreman explained the origin of the lumps in the plaster.

Professional jargon.

4

Sua voz tropeçava em caroços de emoção contida.

His voice stumbled over lumps of contained emotion.

Poetic metaphor.

5

A extração mecânica do caroço otimiza a produção industrial.

Mechanical pit extraction optimizes industrial production.

Industrial register.

6

Não se deixe enganar pela doçura; o caroço é amargo.

Don't be fooled by the sweetness; the pit is bitter.

Philosophical proverb style.

7

O diagnóstico diferencial entre caroço e cisto é crucial.

The differential diagnosis between a lump and a cyst is crucial.

Medical terminology.

8

A história da palavra 'caroço' remonta ao latim vulgar.

The history of the word 'caroço' dates back to Vulgar Latin.

Historical linguistics.

Common Collocations

tirar o caroço
azeitona sem caroço
cheio de caroços
caroço de pêssego
sentir um caroço
caroço de manga
formar caroços
caroço benigno
engolir o caroço
caroço de abacate

Common Phrases

Com caroço

— With the pit included (usually for olives or cherries).

Eu prefiro azeitona com caroço.

Sem caroço

— Pitted / seedless.

Uvas sem caroço são melhores para crianças.

Um caroço só

— A big mess or a single giant lump.

A massa desandou e virou um caroço só.

Cheio de caroço

— Lumpy or bumpy.

Esse mingau está cheio de caroço.

Tirar o caroço

— To pit a fruit.

É difícil tirar o caroço da cereja.

Sentir um caroço

— To detect a physical lump.

Ela sentiu um caroço ao tomar banho.

Caroço na parede

— Bumps or imperfections in plaster.

O pintor deixou muito caroço na parede.

Caroço no colchão

— Lumps in bedding.

Não durmo bem com esse caroço no colchão.

Caroço de fruta

— Fruit pit.

Jogue o caroço de fruta no lixo.

Pequeno caroço

— Small lump.

Apareceu um pequeno caroço na minha gengiva.

Idioms & Expressions

"Tem caroço nesse angu"

— Something is fishy; there's a hidden problem or secret motive.

Eles estão muito quietos; tem caroço nesse angu.

informal/common
"Ser um caroço"

— To be an annoying or difficult person (regional).

Aquele vizinho é um caroço!

slang
"Até o caroço"

— To the core; completely.

Ele é flamenguista até o caroço.

informal
"Duro como caroço"

— Very hard or stubborn.

Este pão está duro como caroço de manga.

colloquial
"Engolir o caroço"

— To accept something difficult or unpleasant (rare).

Tive que engolir o caroço e aceitar a decisão.

metaphorical
"Fazer caroço"

— To cause trouble or complications.

Não venha fazer caroço no meu projeto.

slang
"Caroço de dende"

— Something very hard or a tough person (Bahia region).

Ele é um caroço de dendê, ninguém dobra.

regional
"Soltar o caroço"

— To reveal a secret (rare).

Finalmente ele soltou o caroço.

informal
"Virar caroço"

— To become a problem.

A situação virou caroço.

informal
"Pisar em caroço"

— To walk on unstable ground or deal with problems.

Estou pisando em caroço nessa empresa.

metaphorical

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

Related

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Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'CAR' hitting a 'BUMP' (caroço). Or a 'CAR' driving over fruit 'PITS'.

Visual Association

Imagine a smooth bowl of chocolate sauce that suddenly has hard 'rocks' (caroços) in it.

Word Web

Pit Stone Lump Bump Nodule Grumo Angu Fruit

Challenge

Go to your kitchen and identify three things that have a 'caroço' and three things that have 'sementes'.

Word Origin

Derived from the Vulgar Latin *carucium, which likely comes from the Greek 'karuon' meaning nut or kernel.

Original meaning: A hard shell or the kernel of a nut.

Romance (Indo-European).

Cultural Context

When using 'caroço' for a medical lump, be sensitive as it can cause anxiety in patients.

English speakers often use 'seed' for everything, but must learn to distinguish 'pit/stone' (caroço) from 'seed' (semente).

The song 'Tem Caroço nesse Angu' by various Samba artists. Culinary guides for preparing 'azeitonas recheadas'. Health awareness campaigns for breast cancer (checking for 'caroços').

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Cooking

  • Peneirar a farinha
  • Evitar caroços
  • Molho liso
  • Mexer bem

Eating Fruit

  • Cuidado com o dente
  • Cuspir o caroço
  • Fruta sem caroço
  • Pêssego maduro

Health

  • Autoexame
  • Nódulo palpável
  • Ir ao médico
  • Caroço indolor

Suspicion

  • Tem caroço nesse angu
  • Algo está errado
  • Mistério
  • Esconder algo

Textiles/Materials

  • Tecido com bolinhas
  • Caroço na parede
  • Superfície irregular
  • Lixar a madeira

Conversation Starters

"Você prefere azeitonas com ou sem caroço na pizza?"

"Você já encontrou um caroço no seu mingau alguma vez?"

"Você conhece a expressão 'tem caroço nesse angu'?"

"Qual é a fruta com o maior caroço que você já viu?"

"O que você faz quando sente um caroço estranho em algum lugar?"

Journal Prompts

Descreva uma vez que você cozinhou algo e ficou cheio de caroços. Como você resolveu?

Escreva sobre uma situação em que você sentiu que 'havia caroço naquele angu'.

Qual é a sua fruta favorita que tem caroço? Descreva como você a come.

Imagine que você é um caroço de manga. Descreva sua jornada da fruta até a terra.

Você acha que é importante ser 'liso' ou ter alguns 'caroços' na personalidade?

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