abbreviations

Learn the different ways to shorten words and phrases in French.

   

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Vocabulary Lists

Acronyms and Initialisms

French acronyms and initialisms
Acronyms and initialisms are abbreviations created by stringing together the first initial of each word in a phrase. Learning some common French acronyms and initialisms can help you make sense of news, political discussions, administration, and more.

   

Vocabulary Lists

Aphereses

French aphereses
A few dozen French words have a shortened form called an apheresis or aphaeresis, which is created by dropping one or more syllables at the beginning of the word. Some of these are further modified by adding an extra sound to the end.

   

Vocabulary Lists

Apocopes

French apocopes
Many French nouns and adjectives have shortened forms called apocopes, which are created by dropping one or more syllables at the end of the word. Some of these are further modified by adding o to the end.

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Expressions

BCBG

BCBG
Bring out your inner chic with the French abbreviation BCBG.

   

   

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Grammar Lessons

Fractions

French fractions
In both French and English, there's a lot of overlap between fractions and ordinals: the vast majority of these two types of numbers share the same word. In English, they are identical from "third" on up, while in French they're the same starting with cinquième.

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Expressions

Jour J

Le jour J
The big day is here when you can learn about the French expression le jour J.

   

Vocabulary Lists

Ordinal Numbers

French ordinal numbers
Ordinal numbers are essential for lists: they denote the rank, position, or order of items in a group, whether that group is made up of people, objects, or things to do.

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Expressions

RSVP

RSVP
I invite you to read this lesson on the French acronym RSVP - please respond.

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Vocabulary Lists

Texting

French texting abbreviations
There are many varieties of French, but perhaps one of the most elusive is French texting: the bewildering assortment of abbreviations, acronyms, and even symbols used in email, text messaging (SMS), social media, chatrooms, and forums.

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Vocabulary Lists

Titles

French titles
While not as diverse as they used to be, a few titles are commonly used in French and are as important as any other polite vocabulary. Here are the French titles you need, along with their abbreviations.

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Expressions

TTC

French receipt showing TTC
Learn how to read the alphabet soup (TTC, HT, TVA, CB) on a French receipt.