How to Pronounce the TH Sounds in English /ð/, /θ/
In this lesson, you’ll learn how to pronounce the tricky TH sound in English—as in “this weather” and “thin path.” You’ll practice both voiced and unvoiced TH sounds in words and phrases to build clarity and rhythm in your speech.
Where is the sound made?
- The tip of your tongue touches lightly under or just behind your top front teeth.
- You should feel a gentle contact, but not pressure, between the tongue and teeth.
How does the air flow?
- Both This Weather /TH/ and Thin Path /th/ are continuous sounds, which means the air flows steadily as you hold them. Don’t stop or block the air.
Do I use my voice?
- /TH/ as in This Weather is a voiced sound — your vocal cords vibrate as you say it and you can feel a “buzz” at the tip of your tongue.
- /th/ as in Thin Path is unvoiced — just quiet air moves through your mouth, with no buzzing vibration.
Many learners replace /TH/ and /th/ with other sounds that feel easier or more familiar in their first language.
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Thin Path /th/ is often replaced with /t/ or /s/: tink or sink instead of think.
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This Weather/TH/ is often replaced with /d/ or /z/: day or zay instead of they.
TH Sounds Training
The following exercises combine listening, shadowing, and gradually increasing complexity to help you internalize new sounds and rhythm patterns in your spoken English.
Level 1 is available to all visitors. CEA members unlock the complete training.
Goal: Hear and produce the This Weather /TH/ sound clearly in at the beginning of words and syllables.
1) Say each word slowly and clearly.
- Focus on feeling the air flow between your tongue and teeth.
- Remember, the tongue only lightly touches the teeth; it doesn’t press or block the air.
2) Record yourself the listen back:
- Does your /TH/ sound clear and distinct?
- Are you letting the air flow continuously between your tongue and top front teeth?
Mini Challenge: “Flood” the words in each column (say all of one column in a row). Can you keep the /TH/ sound consistent from top to bottom?
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DARK CLOUD /d/
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THIS WEATHER /TH/
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ZIG ZAG LINES /z/
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D
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the
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Z
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day
-
they
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*zay
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doze
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those
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*zoze
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den
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then
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zen
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dare
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there
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*zare
* indicates a nonsense word
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