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

They produce a significant increase in air pressure inside the mouth compared to the surrounding air. Obstruent vs. Sonorant obstruent

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 A combination that begins like a stop and

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