Sound Like a Canadian - TH Sound

Watch as MG shows us how to pronounce TH in English

Learning the "TH" Sound in English

Learning English is fun! You will learn new sounds and words. One hard part is the "TH" sound. It is in words like "think" and "this." It is important to make this sound clearly. This helps people understand you. Let's learn how to say these words right. Then you can speak easily and be understood!

Two Kinds of "TH" Sounds

There are two "TH" sounds in English. One is voiced, like in "this" and "that." The other is unvoiced, like in "think" and "thought."

The voiced sound makes your throat vibrate. The unvoiced sound does not. "This" has a soft sound because it vibrates. "Think" is a sharp sound and does not vibrate. These sounds can be hard at first. But with practice, you will learn them!

Putting Your Tongue in the Right Place

To make the "TH" sounds, put your tongue in the right place. Put the tip of your tongue between your front teeth. This helps the air flow for both sounds.

Keep your lips relaxed. If your tongue is too far back, or your lips are tight, the sound will be wrong. It helps to practice in front of a mirror. You can see your mouth move and change it if you need to.

Practice Voiced and Unvoiced Sounds

It is important to know the voiced and unvoiced "TH" sounds. Practice words with these sounds.

For the voiced sound, say words like "this," "that," and "mother." Feel your throat vibrate as you say them. Say "mother" three times. Really feel the sound.

For the unvoiced sound, say words like "think," "thank," and "bath." Make a clean, breathy sound. No vibration. Say "think" ten times. Focus on making it clear.

Use Word Pairs to Practice

Word pairs are good for practicing "TH" sounds.

Voiceless Voiced

Bath Bathe

Cloth Clothe

Teeth Teethe

Breath Breathe

Say them out loud. Notice how your tongue and breath change. This helps you learn the "TH" sounds better. It makes your speaking better too! Say both words five times fast. Pay close attention to your tongue.

Practice Every Day

Now you know how to make the "TH" sounds. Practice them every day!

Read English books out loud. Find words with "TH." Talk with friends. Try to use "TH" sounds. The more you practice, the easier it gets. When you speak a new sound in real life, you remember it better.

Keep Going

Learning the "TH" sounds takes time. Keep practicing. You will get better.

Use these tips to help you. Speak with confidence. Keep learning English. Every bit of practice helps. Keep trying. Soon you will say "TH" words like a pro! Happy learning!