Mastering the “th” Sound

The “th” sound can be one of the trickiest sounds for many people to master, whether they’re learning English as a second language or working on articulation. This sound is essential for words like think, that, and through, but for some, it can be difficult to produce correctly. As a speech-language pathologist, one of the most rewarding parts of my job is helping individuals gain confidence in their speech by mastering sounds like “th”.

Why the “th” Sound Can Be Challenging

The “th” sound is unique because it involves a specific tongue placement that’s different from other sounds in English. To produce it correctly, the tip of your tongue needs to gently touch the upper front teeth (or just slightly between them), creating a soft, airflow sound. There are two main types of /th/ sounds:

1. Voiceless /θ/ – found in words like think, thumb, and bath.

2. Voiced /ð/ – found in words like that, this, and brother.

This can be challenging for a few reasons. For one, many languages don’t have a “th” sound, which means speakers of those languages may substitute it with a different sound. For example, a person might say "dat" instead of "that," or "fin" instead of "thin."

Tips for Mastering the “th” Sound

1. Start with Placement
   The first step is getting the right tongue placement. Place the tip of your tongue lightly between your upper and lower teeth, not pushing too hard, just enough for the air to pass through. You should feel a slight vibration if you're producing the sound correctly. If you're unsure, try looking in a mirror while practicing to ensure you're in the right position.

2. Practice the Voiceless /θ/
   The voiceless /θ/ sound (as in think) is typically a bit easier to produce because there’s no vocal cord vibration involved. Begin by saying words like think, thumb, and thank slowly, focusing on the airflow and tongue placement. Once you feel comfortable, practice saying these words in sentences: "I think that’s great," or "She has a big thumb."

3. Work on the Voiced /ð/
   The voiced /ð/ sound (as in this) requires vocal cord vibration, so it may take a bit more time to master. Start with words like this, that, and brother. Feel the difference in sound and vibration when you produce the voiced version versus the voiceless version. You can also practice by repeating words in pairs: think and this, thumb and that.

4. Use Minimal Pairs
   To help reinforce the correct sound, use minimal pairs—pairs of words that differ by only the /th/ sound. Examples include:

• think vs. sink

• that vs. dat

• three vs. tree Practicing minimal pairs helps to isolate the target sound and makes it easier to hear the difference.

5. Be Patient and Consistent
   As with any new skill, consistency is key. Regular practice, even for just a few minutes a day, can make a big difference. Try incorporating the “th” sound into everyday conversations, and don’t get discouraged if it takes time. The more you practice, the more natural it will feel.

Author: Brittany Schoellkopf M.S., CCC-SLP