Obstruent -

A combination that begins like a stop and releases into a fricative (e.g., /tʃ/ as in "church," /dʒ/ as in "judge"). Key Characteristics

Air is blocked completely and then released (e.g., /p, b, t, d, k, g/).

An obstruent is a speech sound produced by obstructing airflow in the vocal tract, resulting in a complete or partial blockage that creates noise or friction. Unlike sonorants (such as vowels, nasals, or liquids) which allow air to flow relatively freely, obstruents are defined by their "tight" or "hissy" acoustic properties. Categories of Obstruents obstruent

💡 If a sound feels like it "squeezes" the air (like "ssss") it’s an obstruent; if it feels smooth (like "mmmm"), it’s a sonorant. Advanced Phonological Features

Air is forced through a narrow passage, creating friction (e.g., /f, v, s, z, ʃ, h/). A combination that begins like a stop and

In phonetics, obstruents are divided into three main "flavors" based on how the air is managed:

They produce a significant increase in air pressure inside the mouth compared to the surrounding air. Obstruent vs. Sonorant Unlike sonorants (such as vowels, nasals, or liquids)

Obstruents frequently occur in pairs—one voiced (vocal folds vibrate) and one voiceless (no vibration)—such as /s/ vs. /z/ or /t/ vs. /d/.