Practice the TH Sound
English has two TH sounds, and many first languages have neither. The good news: both use exactly the same tongue position. Learn that one position and you have both sounds.
How to make the TH sounds
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1
Tongue tip between the teeth
Put the very tip of your tongue lightly between your upper and lower front teeth. It should just peek out.
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2
Push air gently
Let air flow out over the top of your tongue. You should feel the air on your tongue tip.
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3
Voiceless TH /θ/
For "think" and "bath", push only air — no voice. Your throat does not buzz.
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4
Voiced TH /ð/
For "this" and "mother", same position, but turn your voice on so your throat buzzes.
The common mistake learners make
Many learners replace TH with /t/, /s/, /d/ or /z/ — "think" becomes "tink" or "sink", "this" becomes "dis".
The interdental TH sounds are missing from many first languages, so the brain reaches for the closest familiar sound. The tongue stays behind the teeth instead of between them.
Force the tongue tip to come forward and show between your teeth. Exaggerate it at first — over time it becomes small and natural. If you can feel air on your tongue tip, you are doing it right.
Practice words
Tap a word to hear it, then say it back out loud. Repeat each one a few times.
Voiceless TH /θ/ — start of word
Voiceless TH /θ/ — end of word
Voiced TH /ð/ — common words
Voiced TH /ð/ — inside words
Practice sentences
Each sentence is loaded with the target sound. Listen, then read it aloud slowly.
I think the three brothers are over there.
Their mother brushes her teeth every Thursday.
This is the thing they thought about together.
The weather this month is healthier than that.
Keep practicing
Get feedback on your own pronunciation
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