Learn English Pronunciation: TH & THR

Learn and practice the correct English pronunciation of two tricky sounds: TH and THR. These sounds are very common in English, but they can be difficult for English learners, Even if your language uses these same letter combinations, the sound they make in English might not be the same! In this video, I'll show you how to make the correct sounds, and we'll practice with many example words and sentences.

Keep your learning going! Watch more videos now to keep learning.
1. How to use the word 'THINK' in English (practice your 'TH'!)

2. MAY or MIGHT?

TRANSCRIPT

Hello. I'm Gill from engVid, and today we're looking at some pronunciation of "th" and "thr". And it's especially useful for those of you whose first language may be French or Italian, any language which doesn't have the "th", "th", or "thr" sound in it. I know it's a difficult sound to get used to and to feel confident that you're doing it properly, so here is a lesson with some examples of words for you to practice along with me. Okay.

So, the thing about "th" is you just put your tongue behind your top teeth at the front: "th", "th", "th", and blow a bit of air through. "Th", "th", "th", like that. It might help you originally, to begin with if you put your tongue through your teeth a little bit. "Th", "th", like that, but you don't have to do that. Once you get used to making the sound, you don't have to stick your tongue through your teeth; you can just do it behind your teeth. "Th", "th", "th", but your tongue goes up and just touches the back of your top teeth. Okay, for: "th", "th", "th". And then "thr", "thr", you have to then do an "r" sound added to it, so we'll come to that in a minute.

But let's have a look, first of all, at a few words beginning with "th". Okay? So we've got: "things", if you'd like to repeat it after me. "Things", "things". Okay. "Think", "think", "think". Okay. "Thursday", "th", "th", "th", "Thursday", "Thursday". Okay. "Thirsty". If you're thirsty, you need a drink, you haven't had enough water or something to drink. "Thirsty", "thirsty". Okay. If someone gives you something, you say: "Thanks", "thanks", "th", "th", "th". "Thanks". Okay. And then if you want to go out for the evening and see a play and some actors on a stage, you go to the: "theatre", "theatre", "theatre". Okay. And then if... If you... If you're feeling under stress and you need to talk to somebody about it, you might say: "I need some therapy." It can be physical or psychological. "Therapy", "therapy". Okay. Then these are two opposites: "Thick" and "thin". Thick with material, if it's thick material. "Thick" or "thin", "thin" material. Okay. "Thick" and "thin". And then some numbers: "Third", "thirteen", "thirty", and "thousand". Okay. And finally, this is a "thumb", "thumb", "thumb". Okay, so I hope that's helped you to practice those sounds.

Right, so moving on. This one is perhaps a little bit more difficult because you have to add an "r" sound, and some people can make their tongue vibrate when they do an "r": "rr", "rr", "rr", like that. At one time I couldn't do that at all, but for some reason I can do it now. Maybe I do a lot more talking and my tongue is more, you know, can move around, more athletic. So, anyway, you don't have to make that rolling sound with your tongue with these words, because they're just one word so you can't say every word with a "rr" in it, it takes too long. It's just enough to say: "Through", "through". So for the "r", "r", you push your mouth forward a little bit. "Thr", "thr", "through", "through", like that. Okay? And then: "Thread", "thread". When you have some cotton and a needle, and you're doing some sewing, the cotton is the thread. "Thread". Okay? And then the number: "Three", "three", "three". And then if you're a fan of Game of Thrones, you will know this word, the "throne" that the king or queen sits on. "Throne", "throne". And finally if you... If you have a ball that you're throwing: "Throw", "throw", "throw", like that. So, I hope that's helped you to practice those sounds a little bit.

Okay, so I'll just go through these words again one more time at a sort of normal speed, so without any emphasis, just at the normal speed so that you can hear how each word sounds normally, without a big emphasis on anything. Okay, so here we go. So: "things", "think", "Thursday", "thirsty", "thanks", "theatre", "therapy", "thick", "thin", "third", "thirteen", "thirty", "thousand", "thumb". Okay, and then the "thr": "through", "thread", "three", "throne", "throw". Okay, so now we'll go on to the second part of the lesson. […]

[hqooq]

In my opinion Gill is the best teacher! She speaks not very fast as some other teachers I watch. I am Russian and I really think that this lessons are helpful.

[ululu]

"Th" sounds really driving me crazy, thank for the lesson anyway

[akimi.y]

I'm from Brazil, and in portuguese we don't have the "TH" sound, it's very difficult to learn and put in practice! Thanks a lot.

[Azazel]

Wonderful woman & teacher. Many thanks!!!

[jaumebertraligosch]

Thank you very much Gill for your perfect, specific and beautiful pronunciation, explanation and diction. JBiG.

[nudzisz]

The best pronunciation teacher I ever heard

[kseniyapolston]

I'm from Belarus. Thank you for your work. Your lessons really useful!

[hiimcortana]

I have seen so many people or teachers trying to teach TH sound even showing how to make the tongue position... but all they make is make me so much more conscious about my tongue position and i have to pause every single time i encounter UNVOICED TH sound.. but this video has helped me so much and I can speak much much faster without having to use an awkward break for th sound . guess An experienced teacher is much more better than those barely 30 years old wanna be teachers, I guess.

[thelastaristocracy]

My favorite teacher …
Thank you
Have a great day …

[ElizavetaPanova]

Thank you so much, i'm Russian and your lessons really help me 🇷🇺

[josebenedeti]

From BraSil: Gil, You are so kind and lovely. Thanks, so much.

[GuerraFelicita]

I loved how Gill is teaching us English and I can say that enjoy every lesson with her and I would like to say that I am very glad and thank you!

[marinarafik]

Hi everyone! Let me give you a small advice, don't make the same mistake I'd made - do not waste your time on bloggers from your countries/that speak your language to study. Some time ago I was watching a video by some guy, russian speaking blogger, and he was assuming quite opposite things if to compare with what this lady is saying. Whom should I trust and whom should I keep on listening to? I think, it's obvious. I am only sorry that I'd found Gill only now. Anyway, I am grateful to all the people, who created this and made it free. Gill is great ❤

Edt: sorry for my poor English, it's foreign for me.

[ludes]

Thanks from Brazil. In portuguese, we don't have the "th" sound.

God bless you.

[tieteawhytee]

I love your British accent, I've checked the other teachers, but you are the best!

[ireneomelianenko]

Both Russian and Ukrainian don't have these sounds. It is really hard for students to pronouse them. They often mix them with "s" or "z"

[truong]

I'm Vietnamese and I love this video, it's very useful

[Gaetan-inso]

Excellent video, THank you very much !

[FrancescaRDfrd]

I'm italian and this lesson is so useful! Thank you ❤️

[katherine]

Many Thanks. I have so much troubles prononcing the "th" sounds. I've watched a lot of video and yours was the better for me. Thanks again !