100+ Useful Abbreviations in Spanish You Need For Writing & Texting

Are you trying to save some space in written Spanish? Texting your friend and want to be quick?

Use abbreviations in Spanish! Spring Spanish (a project I co-founded) made a lesson on 23 abbreviations native Spanish speakers use all the time:

But in this blog post, we’re going to cover even more. First, we’ll explain what Spanish abbreviations are , then share some of the most common ones with you – all put into different categories, so you don’t have to search for them for long.

Without further ado: the abbreviations in Spanish!

1. What are abbreviations in Spanish?

Abbreviations in Spanish serve no different purpose than in other languages.

Effortless Answers

Spanish abbreviations are shortened forms of words and phrases. They are similar to abbreviations in English, like “etc.” for “et cetera” or “Dr.” for “Doctor“.

You can use abbreviations in Spanish to save space, especially in written Spanish when the text space is limited. You can use them for note-taking, emails or messages.

Saving time is another important aspect of these shortened forms: if you’re in a hurry, you can just scribble down some abbreviations, and you’ll still understand it later!

Abbreviations make communication faster and concise. There are even some cases when you have to use them in formal situations, like when addressing someone “Sr.” for “Señor” (Mr.), “Sra.” for “Señora” (Mrs.), or “Dr.” for “Doctor“. They are easier to write or type on a keyboard, and some of the most common ones are universally recognized, so everyone can understand them – no matter the language!

1. Spanish abbreviations for titles and professions

When you have to address someone in Spanish, use these abbreviations. These are especially useful in written communication, like emails, letters, or official documents.

SpanishEnglish
Sr. (Señor)Mr.
Sra. (Señora)Mrs.
Srta. (Señorita)Miss
Dr. (Doctor)Doctor
Dra. (Doctora)Female Doctor
Prof. (Profesor)Professor (male)
Profa. (Profesora)Professor (female)
Abg. (Abogado/Abogada)Lawyer
Lic. (Licenciado/Licenciada)Graduate
Ing. (Ingeniero/Ingeniera)Engineer
Arq. (Arquitecto/Arquitecta)Architect

2. Use abbreviations for time and dates: days of the week, hours

These ones are handy when writing schedules, timetables, or even diary entries.

SpanishEnglish
a.C. (antes de Cristo)BC (Before Christ)
d.C. (después de Cristo)AD (Anno Domini)
a.m. (antes merídiem)AM (before noon)
p.m. (post merídiem)PM (after noon)
hrs. (horas)hours
h (hora)hour
min. (minuto)minute
seg. (segundo)second
lun. (lunes)Monday
mar. (martes)Tuesday
mié. (miércoles)Wednesday
jue. (jueves)Thursday
vie. (viernes)Friday
sab. (sábado)Saturday
dom. (domingo)Sunday

3. Abbreviations for measurements and units

For recipes, construction, or scientific data, these abbreviations are life-saving.

SpanishEnglish
cm (centímetro)centimeter
kg (kilogramo)kilogram
km (kilómetro)kilometer
m (metro)meter
l (litro)liter
g (gramo)gram
ml (mililitro)milliliter
mm (milímetro)millimeter
km/h (kilómetros por hora)km/h (kilometers per hour)
m2 (metros cuadrados)m² (square meters)
m3 (metros cúbicos)m³ (cubic meters)

4. Common Spanish abbreviations

These are useful in everyday writing and formal correspondence. They help keep your writing concise and clear.

SpanishEnglish
etc. (etcétera)etcetera
p.ej. (por ejemplo)e.g. (for example)
q.e.p.d. (que en paz descanse)RIP (Rest In Peace)
pd. (postdata)PS (postscript)
c/u (cada uno)each
att. (atentamente)sincerely
por fa (por favor)please
a/c (a cuenta)on account
sin más (sin más preámbulos)without further ado
S/N (Sin Número)No Number

5. Abbreviations and acronyms for geography and institutions

You can use these when referring to countries, organizations, or institutions.

An open notebook with a variety of scribbles and doodles on a random page. The page features random words, abstract shapes, and small sketches, giving it a well-used look. The notebook lies on a wooden desk with several pens and pencils scattered nearby. Abbreviations in Spanish such as

The acronyms make the lengthy names easier to manage.

SpanishEnglish
EE.UU. (Estados Unidos)USA (United States)
UE (Unión Europea)EU (European Union)
ONU (Organización de las Naciones Unidas)UN (United Nations)
OMS (Organización Mundial de la Salud)WHO (World Health Organization)
OEA (Organización de los Estados Americanos)OAS (Organization of American States)
GB (Gran Bretaña)UK (United Kingdom)
OCDE (Organización para la Cooperación y Desarrollo Económico)OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development)
NATO (Organización del Tratado del Atlántico Norte)NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)
FMI (Fondo Monetario Internacional)IMF (International Monetary Fund)
BID (Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo)IDB (Inter-American Development Bank)

6. Spanish language abbreviations for education

Abbreviations and acronyms are also common in academic contexts when talking about diplomas, resumes, or academic papers.

SpanishEnglish
Lic. (Licenciado/Licenciada)Graduate (Bachelor’s degree)
Ing. (Ingeniero/Ingeniera)Engineer
Arq. (Arquitecto/Arquitecta)Architect
Mtro. (Maestro/Maestra)Master (title for teachers or master’s degree holders)
Ph.D. (Doctor en Filosofía)Ph.D.
Bach. (Bachiller)High School Graduate
Est. (Estudiante)Student
Téc. (Técnico)Technician
M.Sc. (Maestría en Ciencias)M.Sc. (Master of Science)
Ph.D. (Doctorado)Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy)

7. Write about Spanish business with these abbreviations

Business documents also use abbreviations for clarity and brevity. Efficient communication can’t be neglected in serious matters!

SpanishEnglish
Cía. (Compañía)Company
S.A. (Sociedad Anónima)Corporation
NIF (Número de Identificación Fiscal)Tax Identification Number
PVP (Precio de Venta al Público)RRP (Recommended Retail Price)
IVA (Impuesto sobre el Valor Añadido)VAT (Value Added Tax)
Dpto. (Departamento)Department
RIF (Registro de Información Fiscal)Tax Registration Number
S.L. (Sociedad Limitada)Limited Company
B2B (Negocio a Negocio)B2B (Business to Business)
B2C (Negocio a Consumidor)B2C (Business to Consumer)

8. Spanish abbreviations for texting

In contrast to the serious business, texting and messaging is an informal activity.

With these abbreviations, you can speed up texting and make your messages informal. Use them with friend and in casual conversations.

SpanishEnglish
xq (por qué)why
k (que)that
tmb (también)also
ntp (no te preocupes)don’t worry
tqm (te quiero mucho)I love you a lot
f (Facebook)Facebook
g (Google)Google
dnd (dónde)where
q (qué)what
dnd (dónde)where
msj (mensaje)message

9. Miscellaneous abbreviations

Everything else that’s not included in the previous sections is listed here.

Use these from administrative forms to casual notes. They help you reduce the length of the text while still expressing the information.

SpanishEnglish
dpto. (departamento)department
pág. (página)page
tel. (teléfono)phone
Ud. (Usted)You (formal)
S/N (Sin Número)No Number
N/E (No Especificado)Not Specified
PDT (Posdata)P.S. (Postscript)
APV (Antes de la Presente Vida)Before the Present Life
R/C (Recibido conforme)Received as Agreed
IQ (Inteligencia Quociente)IQ (Intelligence Quotient)

10. Practice abbreviations with flashcards!

Solve these flashcard exercises!

This was just a little glimpse of what we have to offer: if you want to practice more, you can sign up now, and you’ll get access to our Full Practice Worksheet Library!

11. Learn abbreviations without Spanish grammar

Some abbreviations are universal and don’t follow strict grammatical rules in Spanish.

The more you practice and write in Spanish, the easier it will be to use them. We, on Effortless Conversation think that if you use Conversation Based Chunking, you’ll be faster to remember and learn these abbreviations, and many more!

It’s all about focusing on the natural building blocks of the language, while immersing yourself in Spanish context.

Sign up now and you’ll get access to our Full Practice Worksheet Library, you’ll se my favorite resources to learn Spanish, and you’ll even get an essential chunking list for FREE!

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