Lesson 2 of 6
The Two TH Sounds
Stop saying "tree" for "three" and "dis" for "this".
English has two TH sounds that don't exist in Urdu, Hindi or most other languages. Learners usually replace them with T, D, S or Z. Native speakers notice this immediately, and in some words it changes the meaning: three/tree, thin/tin, they/day.
LearnThe key ideas
Voiceless and voiced TH
For both sounds, place the tip of your tongue lightly between your top and bottom teeth and push air out over it.
The voiceless TH /θ/ is just air, like a soft hiss: think, three, both, month. The voiced TH /ð/ adds a buzz from your throat: this, the, mother, weather. Put your fingers on your throat. You should only feel vibration on the voiced one.
Which TH is which?
| Voiceless /θ/ (air only) | Voiced /ð/ (buzz) |
|---|---|
| think, thank, thing | this, that, these |
| three, throw, through | the, they, them |
| both, month, health | mother, other, weather |
A useful rule
Small grammar words (the, this, that, they, there, than, then) almost always use the voiced TH. Content words (think, three, thank, birthday) usually use the voiceless one.
ListenListen and repeat
- I think so.Voiceless TH. Don't say "I tink".
- This is the one.Two voiced TH sounds.
- Thanks for everything.Voiceless at the start, voiced in the middle.
- They're over there.Voiced TH in both words.
AvoidCommon mistakes
SpeakShadowing practice
Press Listen, then repeat straight away, copying the speed, rhythm and tone. Say each sentence three times, then record yourself.
- I think these three things are the same.
- My mother and father are together this weekend.
- Thank you for the thoughtful birthday gift.
CheckQuick quiz
1. Which word uses the voiced TH (with buzz)?
2. Where should your tongue be for TH?
3. "I tink so" is a mistake because:
PracticeToday's speaking task
Read a short news article aloud and pause on every TH. Check your tongue position each time. Then record the last paragraph at normal speed.