How to Pronounce “This“219

The word "this" is a common word in English that can be tricky to pronounce for non-native speakers. This article will provide a detailed explanation of how to pronounce "this" correctly, with examples and practice exercises to help you master the pronunciation.

Understanding the Sounds

The word "this" is pronounced with two sounds: /ð/ and /ɪs/. The /ð/ sound is the voiced dental fricative, which is produced by placing the tip of your tongue behind your front teeth and then releasing air. The /ɪs/ sound is the diphthong /ɪ/ followed by the consonant /s/. The /ɪ/ sound is produced by raising the middle of your tongue towards the roof of your mouth while keeping the tip of your tongue behind your lower teeth. The /s/ sound is produced by placing the tip of your tongue behind your upper front teeth and then releasing air.

Pronunciation Steps
Start by saying the /ð/ sound. To do this, place the tip of your tongue behind your front teeth and then release air.
Next, say the /ɪ/ sound. To do this, raise the middle of your tongue towards the roof of your mouth while keeping the tip of your tongue behind your lower teeth.
Finally, say the /s/ sound. To do this, place the tip of your tongue behind your upper front teeth and then release air.

The entire pronunciation of "this" should sound like /ðɪs/. The /ð/ sound should be short and light, and the /ɪs/ sound should be smooth and gliding.

Common Pronunciation Mistakes

Here are some common pronunciation mistakes that non-native speakers make when pronouncing "this":
Saying /dɪs/ instead of /ðɪs/. The /d/ sound is produced by placing the tip of your tongue against the back of your upper front teeth, while the /ð/ sound is produced by placing the tip of your tongue behind your front teeth.
Saying /ðɪz/ instead of /ðɪs/. The /z/ sound is produced by placing the tip of your tongue against the roof of your mouth, while the /s/ sound is produced by placing the tip of your tongue behind your upper front teeth.
Saying /ðɪs/ with a strong /ð/ sound. The /ð/ sound in "this" should be short and light.

Practice Exercises
Say the following words aloud, focusing on the pronunciation of "this": this, thistle, think, thin, thick.
Read the following sentences aloud, paying attention to the pronunciation of "this":


This is my book.
I like this movie.
This is the best day of my life.

With practice, you can master the pronunciation of "this" and speak English more confidently.

2024-11-02

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