How to Pronounce Voiced TH in American English
Did you know that the TH sound in English comes in two different forms? It might seem tricky at first, especially for non-native speakers, but don’t worry!
With some helpful tips and a bit of practice, you’ll have both pronunciations down in no time.
Mastering the voiced TH /ð/ sound can be a game-changer for non-native English speakers.
It’s that tricky sound you hear in words like "the" and "that", where your tongue touches between your teeth, but unlike its unvoiced sibling /θ/, you can feel your vocal cords buzzing.
This small detail can make a huge difference in how natural and fluent your English sounds.
But don’t worry, with a little practice and the right technique, you’ll nail it in no time. Ready to feel that vibration and perfect your pronunciation? Let’s dive in!
The Voiced TH /ð/
The voiced TH /ð/ sound is produced by placing the tip of the tongue between the upper and lower front teeth, similar to the unvoiced TH /θ/ sound, but with the vocal cords vibrating.
This creates a voiced sound that is similar to the "th" sound in "the" or "that". The sound requires more effort from the vocal cords and throat than the unvoiced TH /θ/ sound, and the vibration of the tongue can be felt when producing the sound correctly.
Examples:
The = ði
She’s the best.this / that = ðɪs / ðæt
This one is bad. That one’s good.them / themselves = ðɛm / ðɛmˈsɛlvz
I came with them. / They came by themselves.these / those = ðiz / ðoʊz
These are too big. Those fit better.they = ðeɪ
They can’t come tonight..their = ðɛr
Their dog is so sweet.there = ðɛr
There aren’t enough.another = ə - ˈnʌ - ðər
Would you like another drink?mother / father / brother = ˈmʌ - ðər / ˈfɑ - ðər / ˈbrʌ - ðər
His mother, father and brother live in Spain.breathe = brið
Breathe in. Breathe out.smooth = smuð
It was a smooth ride.northern / southern = ˈnɔrðərn / ˈsʌðərn
The Northern and Southern Hemispheres have opposite seasons.
Keep Learning
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