* Produced with more force and a stronger airstream: Think of the difference between "p" and "b" - "p" is often perceived as harder due to the stronger burst of air.
* Articulated further back in the mouth: For example, "k" is often considered harder than "t" because it's produced at the back of the mouth.
* Have a more "definite" or "crisp" sound: This is subjective, but sounds like "k" and "g" are sometimes described as harder than "s" and "f" because they have a more defined stop and release.
Examples of sounds commonly considered "hard":
* Stops: p, b, t, d, k, g
* Fricatives: f, v, s, z, h
* Affricates: tʃ, dʒ
It's important to note:
* "Hard" is a relative term. What sounds hard to one person may not be to another.
* The "hardness" of a consonant can also depend on the surrounding vowels and the speaker's accent.
In contrast to "hard" consonants, "soft" consonants are often described as:
* Produced with less force and a weaker airstream
* Articulated further forward in the mouth
* Having a more "smooth" or "fluid" sound
Examples of sounds commonly considered "soft":
* Liquids: l, r
* Nasals: m, n, ŋ
* Glides: w, j
Ultimately, the concept of "hard" and "soft" consonants is more about perception and interpretation than a strict scientific definition.