Master the TH Sound: Voiced vs Voiceless Complete Guide

The TH sound is one of the most challenging sounds in English for learners, especially Spanish speakers. That's because most languages don't have this sound at all!

Here's the secret many learners don't know: there are actually two different TH sounds in English, and mixing them up (or replacing them with other sounds) is a dead giveaway that you're not a native speaker.

The Two TH Sounds

English has two TH sounds:

1. Voiceless TH /θ/ - Your vocal cords don't vibrate (like in "think")
2. Voiced TH /ð/ - Your vocal cords DO vibrate (like in "this")

Both sounds are made in the exact same way with your mouth—the only difference is whether your voice is "on" or "off."

How to Make the TH Sound

This is the same for both voiced and voiceless TH:

1. Stick your tongue out slightly between your teeth (yes, really!)
2. Let the tip of your tongue touch your upper teeth gently
3. Push air through the small gap between your tongue and teeth
4. For voiceless /θ/: Keep your vocal cords still (like whispering)
5. For voiced /ð/: Turn your voice "on" (you'll feel vibration)

Key tip: Don't be shy about sticking your tongue out! Many learners keep their tongue hidden and end up saying "D" or "T" instead.

The Voiceless TH /θ/

This sound appears in words related to thinking, numbers, and descriptions. No vibration in your throat.

Common Words with Voiceless TH /θ/:

The Voiced TH /ð/

This sound appears in function words (the, this, that, they) and some common verbs. You'll feel vibration in your throat.

Common Words with Voiced TH /ð/:

Minimal Pairs: TH vs Other Sounds

The biggest mistake learners make is replacing TH with other sounds. Practice these minimal pairs to hear and feel the difference:

TH /θ/ vs T