/θ/ vs /s/: think vs sink
The dental /θ/ and the sharp /s/ separate think/sink, thick/sick and mouth/mouse. Research ranks this a low-functional-load contrast (it rarely blocks understanding), but it is one of the most NOTICED features of a non-native accent.
- Lower impact
- 8 pairs
- Three voices
1 / 10
Which word do you hear?
See the difference
The tongue tip must be visibly between your teeth for /θ/; check in a mirror. /s/ keeps it hidden behind the teeth. Slow, exaggerated practice rewires the habit fastest.
All 8 pairs
In a sentence
Hardest for speakers of
- French
- Japanese
- Mandarin
- Vietnamese
- Turkish
Questions
What is the difference between think and sink?
think /θɪŋk/ uses the /θ/ sound while sink /sɪŋk/ uses /s/. The tongue tip must be visibly between your teeth for /θ/; check in a mirror. /s/ keeps it hidden behind the teeth. Slow, exaggerated practice rewires the habit fastest.
Which learners find the /θ/ vs /s/ contrast hardest?
It is most challenging for French, Japanese, Mandarin, Vietnamese, Turkish speakers, whose first languages don't separate these two sounds.