The pronunciation of the word the can change depending on what is after it. The Rule
Is there a consonant sound after the?
Notice that this is the same as the a/an rule.
If you want to see/hear examples of vowels and consonants, then take a look at the interactive vowel and consonant charts on my website.
Pronunciation - The = ðə (rhymes with other) before a consonant sound - The = ði (rhymes with worthy) before a vowel sound
Examples - The banana, The mirror, The cup - The apple, The orange, The open door
Sounds Not Letters Sometimes the spelling does not tell you if the word after the begins with a vowel or consonant sound. Take a look at the examples below (notice how /j/ and /w/ are considered consonant sounds):
the + Consonant Sound = /ðə/ The house /haʊs/
the + Vowel Sound = /ði/
The hour /ˈaʊə/ The honest man /ˈɒnɪst/ The honourable woman /ˈɒnərəbəl/
The university /juːnɪvɜ:sɪti/
The union /ˈjuːniən/ The unicorn /ˈjuːnɪkɔːn/
The one /wʌn/ The once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
The only /əʊnli/ The umbrella Yes No Pronounce /ðə/ Pronounce /ði/
Stressing If we want to stress the word the for a particular meaning, then we pronounce it as /ðiː/.
Did you see THE Brad Pitt, or just someone who has the same name as the actor?