The th sounds

Level A1 · think · this

Why practise th?

Many languages have no th sound, so learners say “sink” for think or “dis” for this. English uses th in very common words, so it is worth getting right early.

Where you hear it

the, this, that, they, there
think, thank you, three
mother, brother, with

Two sounds, one tongue position

tongue between the teeth → air (think) or buzz (this)

Examples

**th**ink · **th**ree — only air, no voice
**th**is · mo**th**er — the throat buzzes

Remember: Put a finger in front of your lips: your tongue should touch it lightly.

The rule

English has two th sounds. Put your tongue lightly between your teeth for both.

The sounds

think — Soft th: only air, no voice — like a quiet hiss.: three, thank you
this — Voiced th: the same tongue, but your throat buzzes.: the, mother
bath — At the end of a word th is still soft air.: mouth, month

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