* Phonetic constraints: This is a broad term referring to the limitations of how sounds can be combined in a language. Some sounds might simply not be able to be put together in certain ways due to the way they are produced by the mouth.
* Phonotactics: This is a more specific term that refers to the rules that govern the permissible sequences of sounds in a language. These rules can be based on sound combinations, stress patterns, and other factors.
* Idioms: While not technically about individual words, idioms are phrases that have a meaning that is different from the literal meaning of the words. They often follow a specific word order, and changing it can make the idiom sound nonsensical or incorrect.
* Collocations: These are word combinations that are frequently used together and sound natural to native speakers. They can be phrases or even just pairs of words. While they don't necessarily have to be in a specific order, some collocations do have preferred word order.
It's important to note that the "rightness" of word order is subjective and can depend on the language, dialect, and even individual preferences.
Example:
Let's take the phrase "kick the bucket." It only sounds right in this order because it's an idiom. "Bucket the kick" doesn't make any sense, even though it's using the same words.
Ultimately, the "sound" of language is a complex interplay of phonological rules, cultural conventions, and individual perception.