/θ/ and /ð/

How to pronounce

/θ/ think

/θ/ is a voiceless th sound. Some people think it sounds like a “hiss.”

  • thank
  • anything
  • south

Problems occur when confusing with other consonant sounds /s/, /t/, /ð/, /∫/.

  • If /θ/ is replaced with /s/, the word think sounds like sink.

Listen to the following words with /θ/ at the beginning, middle, and end. Repeat after each example.

Beginning

  • three
  • thin
  • thank

Middle

  • author
  • nothing
  • birthday

End

  • bath
  • length
  • mouth

/ð/ that

/ð/ is a voiced th sound. It sounds like a hum or vibration.

  • the
  • father
  • smooth

Problems occur when confusing with other consonant sounds /z/, /d/.

  • If /ð/ is replaced with /d/, the word that sounds like dat.

Listen to the following words with /ð/ and decide if it comes at the beginning, middle, or end of each word. Repeat after each example.

  1. check
  2. check
  3. check
  4. check
  5. check
  6. check
  7. check
  8. check