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Common Abbreviations in the Portuguese Language

The increasingly running time makes people find ways to make everything faster and more practical. And writing is no different. One way to make it faster is the abbreviations. Some are recognized by the Portuguese language and can be used even in formal situations. Examples: num. (number); log _ (logic); ex. (example); secret _ (secretary); BC _ or BC (before Christ); ap. or fit. (apartment); beautiful _ (bachelor); cell _ (Colonel); CIA _ (Company); ex. (Cashier); D. _ (Gift, Mistress);Ilmo _ (Illustrious); Ltd. _ (Limited); p. or page _ (page); pg. (paid out).

Other abbreviations have been created more recently, due to the use of chats, chat sites, emails, text messages, etc. Young people are the main users of these abbreviations. But they are not recognized by the Portuguese language. See some examples: kisses (kisses); w/ (with); msg (message); msm (same); ñ (no); omg (thank you); w/ (to); because (because); tbh (also).

Rules for Abbreviations

Formal abbreviations need to follow some rules, so that they are accepted by Portuguese. The general rule is as follows: first syllable of the word + the first letter of the following syllable + abbreviation dot.

Examples: adj. (adjective), num. (numeral).

But in addition to the main rule, which is used for most abbreviations, there are other rules also recognized by Portuguese:

• The word should never be cut into a vowel. The last letter in an abbreviation must always be a consonant.
• When the word has an accent, it remains in the abbreviation: num. (number); page _ (page).
• If the second syllable starts with two consonants, both remain: constr. (construction); secret _ (secretary).
• If the abbreviated word is at the end of a sentence, there is no need to put another period. The period used in the abbreviation also serves as the period. Ex.: I need to buy a pen, pencil, eraser, etc.

Acronyms

Acronyms can also be considered a form of abbreviation. They also make writing easier and faster. Acronyms are the combination of the initial letters of a term composed of more than one word:

• USA (United States of America)
• USA (United States of America)
• PS (post written = written later)
• SA (Corporate Corporation)
• SOS (Save Our Souls)
• IBGE (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics)

They end up having their own identity, so they are often used without having to write the entire expression. In the acronyms of up to three letters, or when all the letters are pronounced individually, we write all the CAPITAL letters: ONU, MEC, USP, PM, PMDB, INSS, CNBB. But if the acronym has more than four letters, and not all of them are pronounced separately, only the first letter will be capitalized, and the following lowercase letters: Aids, Embrapa, Detran, Unesco.