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Pronunciation

Pronunciation of "th"

The spelling "th" can be pronounced voiceless /θ/ or voiced /ð/. Examples

  • In think the th is prononunced /θ/,
  • but in father, the th is pronounced /ð/

In the word think the th is pronounced /θ/ as the c in the Spanish word cinco. But in father, the th is pronounced /ð/. We don’t have that sound in Spanish, but we can try to imitate it: try so say the sound c in cinco but making your vocal cords vibrate.

Decide which is the right pronunciation for the following words.

Weather. Is it voiceless /θ/ or voiced /ð/?

Thanks. Is it voiceless /θ/ or voiced /ð/?

Cloth. Is it voiceless /θ/ or voiced /ð/?

Them. Is it voiceless /θ/ or voiced /ð/?

Together. Is it voiceless /θ/ or voiced /ð/?

Nothing. Is it voiceless /θ/ or voiced /ð/?

Birthday. Is it voiceless /θ/ or voiced /ð/?

Month. Is it voiceless /θ/ or voiced /ð/?

Their. Is it voiceless /θ/ or voiced /ð/?

They. Is it voiceless /θ/ or voiced /ð/?

Earth. Is it voiceless /θ/ or voiced /ð/?

Mother. Is it voiceless /θ/ or voiced /ð/?

Activity: Tongue Twisters

Tongue Twisters with “th”

Using tongue twisters is a good way to help your students achieve better pronunciation in English.

  1. They thankfully think this thing is the best thing that they can throw the three times they need to throw a thing.
  2. The first thing they think of is this.
  3. Thirsty throats find things to drink.
  4. Thirty three thousand thoughtless boys thought they would make a thundering noise.