Minimal Pairs: /d/ and /ð/

Another very difficult contrast for Spanish speakers is that of /d/ and /ð/. The production of these two sounds is very different. Here goes an example:

day /deɪ/ = produce /d/ by pressing the tip of the tongue against the area behind your upper teeth, and releasing it with an "explosion."

they /ðeɪ/ = produce /ð/ by placing the tip of the tongue between your upper and lower teeth. This is the same as our Spanish <d>, as in ¿Qué día es?

Now practice saying these minimal pairs.

/ð/	/d/
then /ðen/	den /den/
than /ðæn/	Dan /dæn/
though /ðəʊ/	dough /dəʊ/
their /ðeə(r)/	dare /deə(r)/
these /ðiːz/	D’s /diːz/

Lastly, practice saying these sentences.

✻ These are the dens.
✻ Dan is dumber than them.
✻ Those were the days!
✻ I made some dough, though.
✻ Do you dare do this?