how to pronounce the TH sound

The TH sound, as in the word “thanks”, is difficult for many non-native speakers of English and English learners to pronounce.  /Ѳ/ is the phonetic symbol for this sound, which is found in many dictionaries.

Here is how you do it:

• Put your tongue between your teeth (or just behind your teeth).
• Blow air out of your mouth, like you do for the /h/ sound (e.g. – hi).
• Do not vibrate your vocal chords.  The sound is voiceless.  Vibration of the vocal chords is for a different sound (e.g. – this, that).

Here are some example words with the /Ѳ/ sound: thanks, think, thousand, month, bath

Common mistakes are pronouncing a /t/ sound or an /s/ sound instead of the /Ѳ/ sound, depending on your first language.   It is easier to learn to make this sound with words beginning with this sound (e.g. – thanks) than with words that have this sound at the end (e.g. – bath).   Use the video app on your phone or a mirror to check that your tongue position is correct.  Use one ply of a kleenex and hold it in front of your mouth to see that you are producing enough air.  Or, just blow the air on your hand to feel that you are doing it correctly.

Here is a video showing you how to make the sound.