How to Pronounce 'Three, Thirteen, Thirty’

How to Pronounce 'Three, Thirteen, Thirty’

When learning English pronunciation, mastering the subtleties of similar-sounding words like "three," "thirteen," and "thirty" is crucial. Let's dive into pronouncing these three words clearly and correctly.

Three

The word "three" starts with the "th" sound. To make this sound, stick your tongue out gently between your teeth and blow air out. It's important not to block the airflow. Then, bring your tongue back in to form the "r" sound. Think of it as if it has two "r's": "thurr." Finally, end the word with a high "e" sound: "three."

Thirteen

The beginning of "thirteen" is quite similar to "three." Start with the "th" followed by the "r" sound: "thir." Then, add "teen," which consists of: a "t" sound, a high "e," and an "n." The "n" is important for this word. Stress usually falls on the "teen" part: "thir-TEEN."

Thirty

For "thirty," the stress shifts to the first syllable. This helps distinguish it from "thirteen." Additionally, the "t" sound in "thirty" often becomes a flap t, sounding more like a "d": "thir-dy." Compare "thirteen" with "thirty" to hear the difference: "thir-TEEN" versus "THIR-dy."

Recap

• Three: Start with "th," move to "r," and end with a high "e."
• Thirteen: "Th" + "r," stress on "teen."
• Thirty: Stress on "thir," "t" sounds like "d."

Keywords

• Pronunciation
• Three
• Thirteen
• Thirty
• TH sound
• Flap T
• Stress
• High E sound

FAQ

Q: How do I pronounce the "th" sound in "three"?

• A: Stick your tongue out gently between your teeth and blow air out without blocking the airflow.

Q: What's the difference between "thirteen" and "thirty" in terms of stress?

• A: "Thirteen" has a stress on the "teen" part while "thirty" has the stress on the first syllable ("thir").

Q: Why does the "t" in "thirty" sound like a "d"?

• A: In American English, the "t" in "thirty" often becomes a flap t, which sounds more like a "d".

Q: How important is the "n" sound in "thirteen"?

• A: The "n" sound is essential to clearly pronounce "thirteen" and differentiate it from "thirty".

Q: What is a high "e" sound?

• A: The high "e" sound is the vowel sound in the word "three," which is pronounced with a slightly higher pitch compared to other "e" sounds.