Minimal Pair /t/ and /θ/
as in tree and three
Below are lists of words that vary only by one having the sound /t/ and the other the sound /θ/ in the same position.
You can use this list to practise the sounds, or as a list of words to be careful in pronouncing.
/t/ is made by clicking your tongue behind your top teeth, similar to /d/ but without your voice being used and with more air released. It is like the tutting sound when you disapprove of something. /θ/ is made with the tongue between the teeth and a smooth release of air without the tongue moving. You can practise /θ/ by making sure you can see your tongue in a mirror or by checking if your finger gets wet if you put in vertically in front of your lips.
Elementary
tank thank
tent tenth
tie thigh
tree three
Pre-Intermediate
fort fourth
fought fourth
hat hath
mat math
part path
team theme
toot tooth
true threw
Intermediate
debt death
heat heath
heart hearth
nought north
sheet sheath
teat teeth
tick thick
tin thin
tour thaw
true through
trust thrust
Upper-Intermediate
clot cloth
dirt dearth
fate faith
kit kith
Thai thigh
till thrill
torn thorn
trash thrash
tread thread
Advanced
girt girth
mot moth
naught north
oat oath
pit pith
teem theme
tong thong
trace Thrace
trawl thrall
trill thrill
tug thug