Producing /ð / d/

How to produce /ð / d/

/ð/ has the tongue between or against the teeth — airflow, no complete stop. /d/ has the tongue sealing firmly against the alveolar ridge — a full stop, then release. Both are voiced. If you can hear a brief 'duh', that's /d/; if it's a continuous buzz with teeth contact, that's /ð/.

Practice the sound in isolation

Say 'they / day' slowly. Hold the target sound. Record yourself — does it match your mental model of the native version?

A few varied words

• Initial: they, that, then
• Medial: mother, other, either
• Final: breathe, bathe, smooth