das Echo
echo
The reverberation of sound that occurs when sound waves are reflected back from a surface and you hear the sound again.
EXAMPLE
In der großen Halle gab es ein beeindruckendes Echo.
There was an impressive echo in the large hall.
das Echo
echo
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Meanings
das Echo
response
The reaction, resonance, or feedback that an action, statement, or work evokes in the public or in a specific group.
EXAMPLE
Der Film fand bei den Kritikern ein überwiegend positives Echo.
The film received a mostly positive response from critics.
Usage tips
Typical collocations
In the literal sense, 'Echo' (echo) is often used with verbs such as 'hören' (to hear) or 'geben' (to produce/give). People speak of an echo 'in den Bergen' (in the mountains), 'in einem Tunnel' (in a tunnel), or 'in einer leeren Halle' (in an empty hall).
EXAMPLE
Als wir in die Höhle riefen, hörten wir ein lautes Echo.
When we called into the cave, we heard a loud echo.
Context clue
You can recognize the figurative meaning 'Reaktion' (reaction/response) from the context. Typical signal words are 'Presse' (press), 'Medien' (media), 'Kritiker' (critics), or 'Publikum' (audience). This is not about sound, but about opinions and feedback.
EXAMPLE
Die Rede des Politikers löste ein geteiltes Echo in den Medien aus.
The politician's speech triggered a mixed response in the media.
Typical collocations
In the figurative sense, 'Echo' (response) is often combined with adjectives such as 'positiv' (positive), 'negativ' (negative), 'breit' (broad/widespread), or 'schwach' (weak). Common verbs are 'finden' (to find/receive), 'bekommen' (to get), 'erhalten' (to receive), or 'auslösen' (to trigger).
EXAMPLE
Sein Vorschlag fand bei den Kollegen ein positives Echo.
His proposal received a positive response from his colleagues.
Fixed expression
A common fixed expression is 'auf Echo stoßen' (to meet with a response). It means that an idea, proposal, or action evokes a reaction.
EXAMPLE
Ihre Initiative ist bei der Bevölkerung auf ein positives Echo gestoßen.
Her initiative met with a positive response among the public.
Compare with
Echo vs Reaktion
reaction
Both words can refer to the public response to a statement or action. Reaktion can also mean one specific response, whereas Echo tends to refer to the overall response something generates in the public. Use Reaktion for individual responses and Echo for the broader impact.
Echo
Seine Aussage stieß in der Öffentlichkeit auf ein breites Echo.
His statement met with a broad response from the public.
Reaktion
Auf seine Aussage gab es viele einzelne Reaktionen.
There were many individual reactions to his statement.
In real life
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