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PRONUNCIATION: BASIC SOUNDS
The T-H-R Sound and the D-R Sound
/θr/ and /dr/

GOAL

I can make the T-H-R sound and the D-R sound.

TRY IT!

Read the sentence below.

Matt had a dream about three hundred dragons.

SOUNDS

Learn how to pronounce today's sounds.
Sound Profile
Voicing

no ➡ yes

Mouth

slightly open ➡ open

Lips

neutral ➡ pushed forward

Teeth

Tongue

the tip of the tongue placed between the top and bottom front teeth ➡ the tip of the tongue raised and curled back + the back of the tongue low

Jaw

Steps
  1. Slightly open your mouth.

  2. Put the tip of your tongue between your top and bottom front teeth. (Don't bite down!)

  3. Exhale.

  4. Push your lips forward. At the same time, raise the tip of your tongue and curl it back. Keep the back of your tongue low.

  5. Make a voiced sound. At the same time, open your mouth.

Katakana Otoshiana

Because there is no perfect match for the T-H-R sound in Japanese, many English words with that sound are written with sur (スロ・スリ・スル) in katakana.

 

throw ➡ suroo (スロー)

three ➡ surii (スリー)

through ➡ suruu (スルー)

 

Be careful to make them the T-H-R sound in English!

Voicing

yes

Mouth

slightly open ➡ open

Lips

neutral ➡ pushed forward

Teeth

Tongue

the tip of the tongue touching behind the top front teeth + the sides of the tongue touching the top side teeth ➡ pulled back ➡ the tip of the tongue raised and curled back + the back of the tongue low

Jaw

Steps
  1. Slightly open your mouth.

  2. Press the tip of your tongue behind your top front teeth. The sides of your tongue should touch your top side teeth.

  3. Make a voiced sound. At the same time, pull your tongue back.

  4. Push your lips forward. At the same time, raise the tip of your tongue and curl it back. Keep the back of your tongue low.

  5. Make a voiced sound. At the same time, open your mouth.

Katakana Otoshiana

When English words with the D-R sound are written in katakana, a vowel sound is added between them.

 

drop ➡ doroppu (ドロップ)

dream ➡ doriimu (ドリーム)

drive ➡ doraibu (ドライブ)

 

Be careful not to add the vowel sound in English!

Steps
  1. Slightly open your mouth.

  2. Put the tip of your tongue between your top and bottom front teeth. (Don't bite down!)

  3. Exhale.

  4. Push your lips forward. At the same time, raise the tip of your tongue and curl it back. Keep the back of your tongue low.

  5. Make a voiced sound. At the same time, open your mouth.

Steps
  1. Slightly open your mouth.

  2. Press the tip of your tongue behind your top front teeth. The sides of your tongue should touch your top side teeth.

  3. Make a voiced sound. At the same time, pull your tongue back.

  4. Push your lips forward. At the same time, raise the tip of your tongue and curl it back. Keep the back of your tongue low.

  5. Make a voiced sound. At the same time, open your mouth.

Katakana Otoshiana

Because there is no perfect match for the T-H-R sound in Japanese, many English words with that sound are written with sur (スロ・スリ・スル) in katakana.

 

throw ➡ suroo (スロー)

three ➡ surii (スリー)

through ➡ suruu (スルー)

 

Be careful to make them the T-H-R sound in English!

Katakana Otoshiana

When English words with the D-R sound are written in katakana, a vowel sound is added between them.

 

drop ➡ doroppu (ドロップ)

dream ➡ doriimu (ドリーム)

drive ➡ doraibu (ドライブ)

 

Be careful not to add the vowel sound in English!

SENTENCES

Practice today’s sounds in the sentences below.

/θr/

  1. I need three needles and some thread.
  2. My throat hurts because I threw up.
  3. Three kings used that throne.
  4. I looked through the window of the thrift store.
  5. Jack threw away three packs of sore throat pills.

/dr/

  1. Drew’s baby always drools.
  2. Drake saw a dragonfly.
  3. I like to draw pictures of drills.
  4. Don’t drink and drive.
  5. Andrea had a dramatic dream last night.

/θr/ + /dr/

  1. Andrew threw away his drawing.
  2. My company bought three drones.
  3. We need a throne for our drama class play.
  4. I saw a cheap drum set in the thrift store.
  5. Matt had a dream about three hundred dragons.

DIALOGUES

Practice today’s sounds in the dialogues below.

/θr/

Tutor:

I’m going to the thrift store at three o’clock. Do you want to come?

Student:

Sure! I was planning to throw away my old clothes, but I’ll just donate them to the thrift store.

Tutor:

Yeah, my mom donates there three times a year. She’s always searching through our cabinet and looking for old clothes.

Student:

That’s nice! My mom just throws away our old clothes. One time, she threw away my expensive Red Thread brand jacket!

/dr/

Student:

Andrew’s band needs a drummer for the Dragonfly Festival next week.

Tutor:

Drake can play the drums.

Student:

Is he good? Andrew wants a really good drummer.

Tutor:

Yeah! He’s the best drummer I know. He has amazing drum skills.

Student:

Okay, great! Please give me Drake’s email address.

/θr/ + /dr/

Tutor:

Do you want anything from Dragon Burger? I’m going to the drive-through.

Student:

Yeah. Please buy me three Dragon Burger meals.

Tutor:

With drinks? That’s a lot! You might throw up!

Student:

Don’t worry! I can finish all three meals! Oh, please drive safely!

TRY IT AGAIN!

Reread the sentence below.

Matt had a dream about three hundred dragons.