The TH Sound in English: Why Spanish Speakers Struggle (And How to Fix It)

The TH sound is one of the biggest pronunciation challenges for Spanish speakers learning English. Why? Because this sound simply doesn't exist in Spanish. Many Spanish speakers replace it with "T," "D," or "S" sounds, saying "tree" instead of "three" or "dis" instead of "this."

This comprehensive guide will teach you how to master both TH sounds in English with clear techniques and practice exercises.

The Two TH Sounds in English

English actually has two different TH sounds, and it's important to learn both:

Voiceless TH /θ/ - Your vocal cords don't vibrate (as in "think," "thank," "three")
Voiced TH /ð/ - Your vocal cords vibrate (as in "this," "that," "there")

To feel the difference, place your hand on your throat:

For voiceless /θ/, you won't feel vibration
For voiced /ð/, you'll feel vibration in your throat

How to Make the Voiceless TH Sound /θ/

The voiceless TH is used in words like think, thank, three, math, and bath.

Step-by-step technique:

Place the tip of your tongue lightly between your upper and lower front teeth (or just behind your top teeth)
Keep your tongue relaxed - don't press hard
Push air out between your tongue and teeth
Do NOT vibrate your vocal cords

Common words with voiceless TH:

How to Make the Voiced TH Sound /ð/

The voiced TH is used in words like this, that, there, mother, and brother.

Step-by-step technique:

Place the tip of your tongue in the same position as the voiceless TH (between or behind your teeth)
Keep your tongue relaxed
Push air out between your tongue and teeth
Vibrate your vocal cords - you should feel buzzing in your throat

Common words with voiced TH:

Common Mistakes Spanish Speakers Make

Mistake #1: Replacing TH with T or D

× "Tank you" instead of "Thank you" × "Tree" instead of "Three" × "Dis" instead of "This" × "Dat" instead of "That"

Why this happens: Spanish doesn't have the TH sound, so your brain substitutes familiar sounds.

The fix: Practice placing your tongue between your teeth and letting air flow through.

Mistake #2: Replacing TH with S or Z

× "Sink" instead of "Think" × "Breas" instead of "Breath"

Why this happens: Some Spanish speakers from Spain may confuse the English TH with the Spanish "ceceo" (theta sound).

The fix: Remember that English TH requires your tongue to touch your teeth, while S does not.

Mistake #3: Not Distinguishing Voiced from Voiceless

× Pronouncing "breath" (noun) the same as "breathe" (verb)

The fix: Practice feeling the vibration in your throat for voiced TH sounds.

Helpful Tip for Spanish Speakers from Spain

If you speak Spanish from Spain, you already make a sound similar to the voiceless TH /θ/! In Spain, the letters "c" (before e/i) and "z" are pronounced like the English voiceless TH:

Spanish "cielo" sounds like English "think"
Spanish "zapato" has the same /θ/ sound

Use this knowledge to help you pronounce English words with voiceless TH!

Minimal Pairs: Train Your Ear and Mouth

Practice these word pairs to master the difference between TH and other sounds:

Practice Sentences

Now let's put it all together. Read these sentences aloud, paying close attention to every TH sound:

Quick Practice Exercise

Hold your hand in front of your mouth and say these words. You should feel air flowing between your tongue and teeth:

think - this
thank - that
three - there
thumb - them

Key Takeaways

English has TWO TH sounds: voiceless /θ/ and voiced /ð/
Your tongue should lightly touch your teeth
Air flows between your tongue and teeth
Voiced TH makes your vocal cords vibrate; voiceless TH doesn't
Don't replace TH with T, D, S, or Z

With consistent practice, the TH sound will become natural. Don't get discouraged if it feels awkward at first - this is completely normal for Spanish speakers learning a sound that doesn't exist in their native language!