Voiced uvular fricative

The voiced uvular fricative is a sound used in some spoken languages. It is the most common way to say r in French.

Characteristics

The airstream mechanism is pulmonic. This means that this sound is produced by pushing air solely with the lungs and diaphragm, as in most sounds.
The phonation is voiced. This means that the vocal cords vibrate while the sound is being pronounced.
The place of articulation (where the sound is produced) is uvular. This means that this sound is produced with the back of the tongue (the dorsum) at the uvula.
The manner of articulation (how the sound is produced) is fricative. This means that this sound is produced by constricting air flow through a narrow channel at the place of articulation, to make turbulence.
It is an oral consonant. This means that air is allowed to escape through the mouth only.
It is a central consonant. This means that this sound is produced by directing the air along the center of the tongue, but not to the sides.

The voiced uvular approximant is a sound used in some spoken languages.

The airstream mechanism is pulmonic. This means that this sound is produced by pushing air solely with the lungs and diaphragm, as in most sounds.
The phonation is voiced. This means that the vocal cords vibrate while the sound is being pronounced.
The place of articulation (where the sound is produced) is uvular. This means that this sound is produced with the back of the tongue (the dorsum) at the uvula.
The manner of articulation (how the sound is produced) is approximant. This means that this sound is produced by narrowing the vocal tract at the place this sound is produced. However, it is not narrowed enough to produce a turbulent airstream.
It is an oral consonant. This means that air is allowed to escape through the mouth only.
It is a central consonant. This means that this sound is produced by directing the air along the center of the tongue, but not to the sides.