Obstruent

An obstruent is a special kind of speech sound we make when we block or change the flow of air while talking. Examples include sounds like k, j (as in “jump”), and f. We make these sounds by using our tongue or lips in a way that makes it harder for air to pass through easily.

Obstruents are different from sonorants. Sonorants are sounds that can resonate without blocking the air flow. All obstruents are consonants, but sonorants include vowels and some other consonants. Learning about obstruents helps us understand how different sounds are made when we speak. This is important for studying languages and communication.

Subclasses

Obstruents can be divided into three types.

The first type is called plosives, like the sounds [p] and [b]. These sounds are made by fully closing the airway and then quickly releasing it.

The second type is called fricatives, like the sounds [s] and [z]. These sounds are made by partly closing the airway, which makes the air flow become rough.

The third type is called affricates, like the sounds [t͡s] and [d͡z]. These sounds start like plosives with a full closure, but then turn into a fricative-like sound when released.

Voicing

Obstruents are sounds we make without using our voice, but sometimes we can make them with voice. This is different from sonorants. Sonorants are usually made with voice and only sometimes without voice.