Learn How to Pronounce three

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three

Definition:

(nou) the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one (nou) one of four playing cards in a deck having three pips

Phonetic Transcription:

θriː

Examples:

He is the father of three and the grandfather of four.

Also three of the four wins were in the sprint.

Bloom contributes three of the four interpretive chapters of the work.

Learn more about:
three

Related Words:

third

one

four

How to perfect your pronunciation of: three

Learn Individual Sounds

Break three down into individual sounds such as θriː. Practice these parts before you learn to say the whole word.

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Avoid mixing word pronunciations. If you’re learning American English, stick to it and try not to confuse yourself with British pronunciation.

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Common mistakes of three pronunciation

Misplacing the "th" sound: Some learners pronounce "three" with a "t" sound, saying "tree" instead. The correct pronunciation starts with the voiced dental fricative /θ/. Tip: Practice placing your tongue between your teeth for the "th" sound.
Incorrect vowel sound: Many people confuse the vowel sound in "three" with that in "free." The correct vowel is /iː/ in both US and UK pronunciation. Tip: Focus on stretching the vowel sound, making it longer and clearer.
Overemphasizing the "r": In some accents, the "r" in "three" can be pronounced too strongly, leading to "thray." The correct pronunciation has a softer "r" sound, transcribed as /θriː/. Tip: Keep the "r" subtle to maintain the correct flow of the word.
Skipping the "th" sound: Some learners omit the "th" altogether, saying "ree" instead of "three." This alters the meaning and makes the word unrecognizable. Tip: Always ensure that you pronounce the "th" sound clearly at the beginning of the word.
Adding an extra vowel: Occasionally, learners insert an extra vowel sound, saying "thee-ree." This is incorrect, as "three" is a single syllable word, pronounced /θriː/. Tip: Focus on blending the sounds smoothly without adding extra vowels.

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "three" in American English?

In American English, "three" is pronounced as /θriː/. The "th" is a voiceless dental fricative, and the vowel sound is a long "ee" as in "see."

Is there a difference in the pronunciation of "three" between American and British English?

No, "three" is pronounced the same in both American and British English, as /θriː/. Both accents use the same vowel sound and stress pattern.

What is the stress pattern for the word "three"?

The word "three" has one syllable and carries primary stress, noted as /ˈθriː/. Since it is a single-syllable word, the stress is always on that syllable.

Are there any common mistakes when pronouncing "three"?

A common mistake is mispronouncing "three" as /θɛrɪ/, which can happen when speakers confuse it with the word "tree." Remember to keep the "th" sound clear and distinct.