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Glite Dictionary
guttural consonant

guttural consonant

9.3
A sound you make when speaking at the back of the mouth or in the throat
  • noun
  • /ˈɡʌtərəl ˈkɒnsənənt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : consonante guttural
  • Some people find it difficult to pronounce guttural consonants when learning new languages.

Examples

  • The sound of a guttural consonant can be quite harsh to unaccustomed ears.

  • The letter 'k' is a guttural consonant.

  • In Arabic, the letter 'خ' represents a guttural consonant not found in English.

  • Many languages feature guttural consonants that are unique.

  • The Arabic language includes several guttural consonants that can be challenging for non-native speakers to pronounce.

  • In phonetics, a guttural consonant is produced at the back of the throat, like the sound represented by the letter 'k'.

  • Some dialects of Hebrew contain guttural consonants that create a distinctive sound not found in English.

Synonyms

guttural
vsguttural consonant
  • Specialized
8.2

A speech sound made at the back of the mouth or in the throat

lists specific types such as velar, uvular, and pharyngeal sounds

Surface Forms

guttural consonant singular
guttural consonants plural

Morphology

guttural + consonant

The meaning 'a consonant articulated in the back of the mouth or throat' is directly and compositionally derived from 'guttural' (throat- or pharynx-related) + 'consonant' (a speech sound produced by obstructing airflow). This modifier+noun construction is transparent and follows a standard descriptive pattern that a B1 learner who knows both constituents can immediately understand.

Etymology

Guttural consonant comes from an old word meaning 'throat' and creates the picture of a sound made deep in the throat. A guttural sound is made at the back of the mouth, not at the lips, so the phrase means consonants spoken from the throat.