The /θ/ as in THINK /θ/

One of the most common consonants in American English. Hear it in think, three, bath, thin.

IPA /θ/ Respell th Category Consonant
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The /θ/ sound, the unvoiced TH in think, bath, and three, is a soft, airy consonant made by resting the very tip of your tongue slightly between your front teeth and blowing air gently around it. Unlike its voiced cousin in that, your vocal cords stay completely quiet here. Because this sound doesn't exist in many languages, speakers often substitute an S, T, or F, making think sound like sink or tink. To say it clearly, keep your tongue relaxed and let the air flow smoothly without biting down.

How to make it

Three small adjustments.

Get them right and the sound takes care of itself.

Place the very tip of your tongue slightly between your teeth. Blow air gently around it without voicing.

Mouth position for /θ/ in think

Mouth shape

/θ/ as in think

Tongue

The tip of the tongue rests lightly between or just behind the upper front teeth.

Lips

Don't affect this sound. They can transition to the next sound.

Quick tips

A few things to remember.

Only the very tip of the tongue should come between the teeth. Don't push too far forward.

Keep the tongue soft and relaxed so air can flow smoothly around it without getting blocked.

The tip of the tongue needs to connect with the teeth, whether slightly between them or right behind them. The lips are free to prepare for the next sound (e.g., rounding for R in 'three').

Hear it in words

16 everyday words.

Tap any word for its full breakdown — every reduction, every flap-T.

thinks
THIHNGKS
thanks
THANGKS
thought
THAHT
thin
THIHN
thick
THIHK
theme
THEEM
truth
TROOTH
tooth
TOOTH
teeth
TEETH
bath
BATH
path
PATH
mouth
MOWTH
north
NORTH
earth
URTH
health
HEHLTH
things
THIHNGZ
Hear it in sentences

In real conversation.

5 short sentences where this sound shows up. Tap to play; click the title for the full breakdown.

Think of three things to thank the author for.

thihngk uhv THREE THIHNGZ tuh THANGK dhee AH·ther for.

Both math and ethics are worth thinking through.

BOHTH MATH and EH·thuhks er WURTH THIHNG·kuhng throo.

Thorough thought is the path to the truth.

THUR·oh THAHT ihz dhuh PATH tuh dhuh TROOTH.

He threw the ball with all his strength.

hee THROO dhuh BAHL wihth AHL hihz STREHNGTH.

I think the three of them like thick soup.

ahy THIHNGK dhuh THREE uhv dhuhm LAHYK THIHK SOOP.
FAQ

Common questions about /θ/.

What's the easiest way to make the TH sound in "think"?
Rest the very tip of your tongue between your upper and lower front teeth, then blow air out gently. Your vocal cords shouldn't vibrate at all. The biggest mistake people make is pushing the tongue too far out or clamping down hard with their teeth. You only need the tiniest bit of your tongue showing, and it needs to stay soft so the air can escape around it. If the air stops, you'll end up saying a T instead.
What is the difference between the TH in "think" and "that"?
The difference is entirely in your throat. For think /θ/, your vocal cords are quiet and you just blow air, much like an S or an F. For that /ð/, your vocal cords vibrate, creating a buzzing sound, similar to a Z or a V. The tongue and teeth are in the exact same position for both. If you put your fingers on your throat, you should feel a strong buzz for that but absolutely nothing for think.
Why do I accidentally say "sink" or "tink" instead of "think"?
You're likely pulling your tongue back behind your teeth or pressing it against the ridge above your upper teeth. If your tongue stays behind your closed teeth, the air creates an S sound (sink). If your tongue taps the ridge just behind your upper teeth and stops the airflow completely, you get a T sound (tink). To fix this, make sure the tip of your tongue actually peeks out between your teeth and keep the air flowing the whole time.

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