How to Pronounce the TH Sounds (/θ/ and /ð/)

English has two TH sounds, and neither exists in most of the world's languages. That's why "think" becomes "tink" and "this" becomes "dis" so often.

Voiceless TH /θ/

This is the TH in "think", "three", "bath". Place the tip of your tongue lightly between your teeth and blow air out. No voice — just air.

Voiced TH /ð/

This is the TH in "this", "that", "brother". Same tongue position as /θ/, but add your voice (your throat should buzz).

The tongue position is everything

The most common mistake is keeping the tongue behind the teeth, which turns TH into T, D, S, or Z. You must let the tongue tip come forward between the teeth. It feels exaggerated at first — that's correct.

Minimal pairs to practise

think / sink

three / free

bath / back

they / day

breathe / breeze

Practice

See the mouth diagrams for [/θ/ and /ð/](/sounds), then [record yourself](/practice) saying the minimal pairs above. The score estimates which words were recognised. It cannot see your tongue.