Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| abreviação | /a.bɾe.vi.aˈsɐ̃w̃/ (Brazil) /a.bɾe.vjaˈsɐ̃w̃/ (Brazil) |
feminine |
| abreviatura | /a.bɾe.vi.aˈtu.ɾɐ/ (Brazil) /a.bɾe.vjaˈtu.ɾɐ/ (Brazil) |
feminine |
An abbreviation is a shortened or contracted form of a word or phrase. While Sigla technically refers to an initialism, it is occasionally used to denote an abbreviation.
Which one should you use?
abreviação and abreviatura are often used interchangeably. However, abreviação is more common when referring to the general concept or the process of shortening, whereas abreviatura is more frequently used to refer to the specific written symbol or character string itself.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Portugal, both abreviação and abreviatura are commonly used, though abreviatura is slightly more prevalent.
How does it change in a sentence?
Both abreviação and abreviatura are feminine nouns, so they must be preceded by feminine articles like a or uma. The plural form of abreviação is abreviações, and the plural form of abreviatura is abreviaturas.
How do you pronounce it?
abreviação is pronounced /a.bɾe.vi.aˈsɐ̃w̃/. It has 5 syllables and the stress is on the 5th syllable.
Did you know?
- Unlike English, where some abbreviations are spoken as letters, many Portuguese siglas are pronounced as if they were regular words if they are pronounceable.
- Portuguese speakers often use the term abreviar as a verb to mean 'to cut short' a meeting or a trip, rather than just a word.
- The word abreviação is a learned borrowing from the Ecclesiastical Latin word abbreviātiōnem.
Examples in context
- Esta é a abreviação de quê?What is this the abbreviation for?This sentence is useful for asking what a specific abbreviation is for using abreviação.Tatoeba #899697 by alexmarcelo, translation #594681 by CK
- "Dr." é a abreviação de "doutor"."Doc" is an abbreviation of "doctor".This sentence shows how to use abreviação to define a specific term.Tatoeba #2351535 by Matheus, translation #72233 by CK
- Estou tentando decifrar essa abreviação.I'm trying to decipher this abbreviation.This sentence is useful for practicing how to use the word abreviação in a sentence about deciphering text.Tatoeba #1066215 by alexmarcelo, translation #9444310 by DJ_Saidez
- Para entender este conceito, é necessário conhecer a abreviação utilizada.To understand this concept, it is necessary to know the abbreviation used.
- Pode me explicar essa abrev?Can you explain this abbreviation to me?
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Mariana are studying for an exam in a cafe.
- LucasEsta abreviação no texto é muito difícil.This abbreviation in the text is very difficult.
- MarianaEu posso tentar te ajudar, Lucas.I can try to help you, Lucas.
- LucasObrigado, Mariana. Você é muito gentil.Thank you, Mariana. You are very kind.
- MarianaNão tem de quê, vamos estudar.You're welcome, let's study.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “abbreviation” translations and entries abreviação, abreviatura, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries abreviação, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
