Speech sounds divide into those with open airflow and those with constriction. A consonant is a sound produced with partial or complete obstruction of the airstream in the vocal tract.

Consonants are classed by place of articulation, manner of articulation, and voicing. Stops, fricatives, nasals, and liquids illustrate different manners. Languages select different inventories from the wide range humans can produce.

Clusters, assimilation, and syllable constraints shape phonotactics. Children master some consonants later than others. Phonetic transcription relies on precise consonant symbols to capture contrasts ordinary spelling misses.

• Speech sound with obstructed airflow
• Described by place, manner, and voicing
• Inventory differs by language
• Central to phonotactics and acquisition