Abbreviations in French

What’s an Abbreviation?

Une abréviation(an abbreviation) is simply a shortened form of a word or phrase. Abbreviations are typically made by dropping letters from a word, just as in English, though the words that have abbreviated forms are not always the same in both languages. Conventions concerning capitalization and punctuation also vary, as we'll explain further on in this article, but for now, here are a few examples of common French abbreviations!

In addition to common abbreviations, there are three other special types of abbreviations used in French: apocopes, acronyms, and initialisms. Let's take a look at what these are!

What Are Apocopes?

Une apocope(an apocope) is a type of abbreviation that occurs when one or more syllables are dropped from a word. Essentially, it's a shortened form of a word, most commonly a noun or an adjective with the final syllables left off. Here are a couple of examples!

The shortening of words in this way happens in English too, but the words that people shorten aren't always the same in both languages. For example, in English, there isn't a short form for the word restaurant.

Apocopes are common in both spoken and written French and are often used in casual conversation or online messaging. You'll see some apocopes in the lists of abbreviations we provide further on!

What Are Acronyms and Initialisms?

Acronyms and initialisms are both types of abbreviations that are formed from the first letters of words in a phrase. The difference between them is the way you say them.

Acronyms in French

Un acronyme(an acronym) pronounces the letters as a word. Here are a couple of examples.

Initialisms in French

Un sigle(an initialism), on the other hand, pronounces each letter in the abbreviation one by one. Check out these examples.

We've included both acronyms and initialisms in the lists of abbreviations in this article, as you'll see further on.

How Are Abbreviations Used in French?

Some French Abbreviations Are Only Used in Writing

You'll likely encounter abbreviations on a regular basis when communicating in French. Some abbreviations are used only in writing, like those used for measurements, times, or addresses. If you're reading a recipe, a schedule, or an address out loud, when you see the abbreviation, you say the full word. Here are a couple of examples!

Some French Abbreviations Are Used in Both Speaking and Writing

Other abbreviations are used in both writing and speech, like the many apocopes, acronyms, and initialisms used to talk about daily activities, transportation systems, politics, or grade levels in schools. You'd say these as words if they're apocopes or acronyms, or say the letters if they're initialisms.

You'd also treat these the same way you would the full form of the word regarding the use of articles, prepositions, adjectives, and other parts of speech. Check out these examples to see what we mean!

When Do I Capitalize an Abbreviation in French?

Main Conventions for Capitalization

1. Common abbreviations and apocopes are typically written in lowercase.

2. Acronyms and initialisms are usually written in all capital letters.

When Do I Use Punctuation with French Abbreviations?

In French, there are certain common abbreviations that are traditionally followed by periods—like ch., short for chapitre(chapter)—but these days, French writers tend to omit periods in abbreviations. Periods are rarely used with acronyms or initialisms, and they're never used with apocopes.

That said, conventions for the usage of periods with abbreviations are also flexible, as they are in English (think of U.S.A. versus USA). The use of periods may vary based on the formality of a text, the style of the text, or the preferences of the writer, so don't be surprised if you see them from time to time in written French!

What Are the Most Common French Abbreviations Used in Writing?

We've put together the following lists of French abbreviations that you're likely to see written down, whether you're reading a letter, an invitation, a text message, a recipe, a map, a website, a form, or a sign. Abbreviations are literally everywhere! Take a look!

French Abbreviations Used for Courtesy Titles

Courtesy titles, also sometimes called honorifics, are words that show your respect for someone and may also indicate their profession.

French Abbreviations for Measurements

Here are the main French abbreviations for measurements, including those for weight, liquid volume, and height or length. There are also some that are specific to recipe measurements.

Abbreviations for Weight in French

Abbreviations for Liquid Volume in French

Abbreviations for Height or Length in French

Abbreviations for Recipe Measurements in French

French Abbreviations for Dates, Numbers, and Times

When looking at schedules, agendas, or other documents including dates, numbers, or times, you may see some of the following abbreviations!

Abbreviations for Days of the Week in French

Abbreviations for Months of the Year in French

In French, there are abbreviations for months that are more than four letters long. You may see these on forms, schedules, posters, calendars, announcements, or in informal messages. Below are the months that have abbreviated forms. The others are short, so they're just written out in French: mars(March), mai(May), juin(June), août(August)!

Abbreviations for Dates in French

Abbreviations for Ordinal Numbers in French

When writing an ordinal number (like first, fifth, tenth) in French, the following abbreviations are used, either as a normal lowercase letter placed after a number or in superscript after a number, as a short form for the suffix of the French word.

Abbreviations for Times in French

French Abbreviations for Travel

Here are some French abbreviations you might see in an address or on a map or road sign when traveling.

French Abbreviations for Types of Roads

French Abbreviations for Cardinal Points

French Abbreviations Used in Texting

As in English, there are a lot of French abbreviations used when sending text messages or posting on social media. Here are some common ones you can work into your texts!

Abbreviations for Foreign Media in France

Media consumed in France, and in many other Francophone countries, comes from all over the world. When you're looking at a movie theater schedule or a television guide, you may see some abbreviations that indicate the language spoken by the actors in foreign media. Here’s a breakdown of what these abbreviations mean!

Other Miscellaneous Written Abbreviations in French

Here are some other common French abbreviations you might see in written notes or on signs.

What Are the Most Common French Abbreviations Used in Both Speaking and Writing?

There are many abbreviations used in everyday communication in French, including a bunch of acronyms, initialisms, and apocopes! Some are used in formal communications, while others are informal or even slang terms used in daily conversation. Check out the categories below!

French Abbreviations for Transportation Networks

Whether you're traveling by car, bus, subway, or train, every country has its own organizations and systems for public transportation. Here are some abbreviations that might come in handy if you're traveling in France or Québec!

Transportation Network Abbreviations in France

Transportation Network Abbreviations in Québec

French Abbreviations Used in Education

There are many abbreviations used in education systems in France and other Francophone countries! Following are some you might encounter in France or Québec.

Abbreviations for Grade Levels in France

Abbreviations for Secondary and Post-Secondary Studies in France

Abbreviations for Secondary and Post-Secondary Studies in Québec

French Abbreviations Used To Talk About Business, the Economy, and Politics

There are many abbreviations used when talking about business and the economy. Here are some of the most common ones you might see or hear!

French Abbreviations Related to Business and the Economy

French Abbreviations Used in Politics

In politics, there are many common abbreviations. Most political parties in Francophone countries use acronyms, but we won't get into those here since there are so many of them! Following are some general abbreviations related to global politics and international organizations that you might see or hear on a regular basis in French.

French Abbreviations Used in Informal Conversation and Slang

You've likely noticed that the French that people speak in informal situations varies quite a bit from the French you learn in textbooks or in school. People often use slang words, informal pronunciations, and lots of abbreviations. Here are some you might hear in casual conversations!