Trap 1 of 22 · French speakers
TH is not S or Z: think, this, three
Le TH : think, this, three — pas sink, zis, tree
What French speakers do
You replace TH with the nearest French sound: S or T for think (sink, tink), Z or D for this (zis, dis).
The American rule
Put the tip of the tongue between the teeth and push air out. Without voice for think (/θ/), with voice for this (/ð/).
This is the trap French speakers are best known for, and the one that comes up most: the, this, that, there, they, think, thank you — they are in almost every sentence.
English has two TH sounds, and French has neither:
- /θ/, without voice — think, three, thank, month. Tongue tip lightly between the teeth, blow air like a soft s.
- /ð/, with voice — the, this, mother, together. Same tongue position, but switch the voice on: you should feel a buzz on the tongue.
Practise in a mirror: if you can't see the tip of your tongue, it isn't a TH. It feels exaggerated at first; at normal speed the tongue barely peeks out.
The words
the
/ðə/
✗ZEU
✓THUH
Voiced TH. Before a vowel it becomes THEE: the end.
“The rest is easy.”
this
/ðɪs/
✗ZIS
✓THIS
“Is this your bag?”
think
/θɪŋk/
✗SINK
✓THINK
“I think so.”
thank
/θæŋk/
✗SANK
✓THANK
“Thank you so much.”
three
/θri/
✗SRI
✓THREE
TH then R: keep the tongue moving forward to back.
“I have three kids.”
thing
/θɪŋ/
✗SING
✓THING
“That's a good thing.”
month
/mʌnθ/
✗MONS
✓MUNTH
“See you next month.”
birthday
/ˈbɝθdeɪ/
✗beurz-DÉ
✓BURTH-day
“Happy birthday!”
mother
/ˈmʌðɚ/
✗mo-ZEUR
✓MUTH-er
“My mother lives in Paris.”
together
/təˈɡɛðɚ/
✗tou-gué-ZEUR
✓tuh-GETH-er
“Let's work together.”
weather
/ˈwɛðɚ/
✗oué-ZEUR
✓WETH-er
“The weather is perfect today.”