The English word “thanks” is a common expression of gratitude.
Its pronunciation may be tricky for non-native speakers, especially because of the th sound and the final s.
Phonetic Transcription
/θæŋks/
Pronunciation Breakdown
- /θ/ – Voiceless “th” sound, as in “think”. Place your tongue between your teeth and blow air out.
- /æ/ – Short “a” sound, like in “cat”.
- /ŋ/ – The “ng” sound, as in “sing”. Do not pronounce it as /n/ or /g/ separately.
- /k/ – A sharp “k” sound, made at the back of the mouth.
- /s/ – A hissing “s” sound (not a /z/), because the preceding sound /k/ is voiceless.
Tip: Many learners mistakenly say “tanks” (like the vehicle). Remember to use the th sound at the beginning!
Listen and Practice
While this page uses native HTML/CSS/JS only and does not embed external audio, you can practice by repeating slowly: “th-æ-ng-k-s”.
For accurate audio, try saying it in front of a mirror or use free online dictionaries like Cambridge or Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries.
Example Sentences
- “Thanks for your help!”
- “I really appreciate it — thanks!”
- “Say thanks to your teacher.”