Talking through WhatsApp, Messenger or any other social media is always an interesting journey through the language. You’ll find the more curious ways native speakers have abbreviated certain words and phrases of the language they speak. Yes, this happens in many countries.
We can’t deny we also have certain chat abbreviations in English, such as “ASAP” or “btw”.
This type of shortening our languages has been around for a while now. But to be honest, it’s no surprise that in today’s fast-pacing society we love using these abbreviations. After all, they’re useful, as they allow us to write faster.
Well, guess what? The Spanish language is no exception to this. They’ve also developed certain fun, cool, and helpful chat abbreviations you must know.
So, without further ado, here are some Spanish abbreviations for when you’re chatting with a native speaker.
Why You Should Learn Spanish Chat Abbreviations
You’ll write faster
Like we just said, chat abbreviations allow us to write, and therefore, communicate faster. After all, they’re like shortcuts. This can be very useful when you’re in a rush. But to do this, you must master the abbreviations; you have to know what they mean.
Otherwise, you’re going to use them incorrectly and will take you longer to write and even to read. You can also create confusion for the one who’s receiving your message.
At first, you can find it difficult to learn the abbreviations and therefore, to use them. This probably will make you slower when writing. But as you practice, you’ll find it easier until you become a pro.
Just remember to use them only when it’s in informal environments. Never use them in formal situations or when talking to an authority or boss; no matter if you’re in a hurry.
No more misunderstandings
Abbreviations can be quite confusing if you don’t know them. Especially in a language that’s not your own and you’re just learning. You might even make assumptions that aren’t real based on the letters of the abbreviations.
But if you know what abbreviations mean, this won’t happen. You’ll avoid confusions and therefore, misunderstandings.
You’ll sound like a native
There are some huge parts of a language that not all schools teach, because they’re not very formal. Such as idioms, swear words and chat abbreviations. But they’re super important, because natives use them all the time when speaking!
So, if you know at least some basic Spanish abbreviations for chatting, like the ones below, you can start using them. By doing that, you’ll sound more like a native Spanish speaker and we’re sure you’ll impress everyone.
You’ll notice how the language changes
Chat abbreviations have been a thing for a while now. Some stay the same through the years; some others have slight changes. Some others are still used but aren’t as popular as before, and some new ones are born.
By learning chat abbreviations in another language (and in your own too) and keeping up to date with them, you’ll notice how that language has changed. That can be a reflection of how society changes, and how new generations use past abbreviations or create new ones. It’s quite interesting.
Chat Abbreviations in Spanish
1. TQM
Let’s start with a cute one. “TQM” is an abbreviation for “te quiero mucho” (I love you very much). It has existed for a long time now and people still use it. It can be used with anyone you love: Romantic partners, friends, family…
It can also be written in lowercase letters: “tqm”.
Years ago, teens used to write it differently to be cooler. It was “tkm”, basically they changed the “q” for a “k”, as they sound the same in Spanish. You might still see some people use it this way, just so you know it means the same as “tqm”.
2. Salu2
“Greetings” or “regards” in Spanish is “saludos”. The number two in Spanish is “dos”. So, the last syllable of “saludos”, “dos”, is pronounced the same way as number two. That’s why they abbreviate this word with a number; it makes sense for the ears. It’s like a fun game with the pronunciation of “dos”.
3. To2
Here we go again. The words “everyone” or “all” in Spanish is “todos”. As you can see, it ends with a “dos”. Like we said above, number two in Spanish is “dos”. So the last syllable of “todos” and the Spanish word for the number two sound the same. That’s why it’s abbreviated like that.
Because even with a number, “to2” is pronounced the same as “todos”.
4. GPI
This one has become more and more popular nowadays. These are the initials of “gracias por invitar” (thanks for inviting). It’s used in a sarcastic way when you haven’t been invited somewhere you would’ve liked.
For example: Maybe you’re chatting on WhatsApp in your family group, and they say they threw a party last week that you didn’t know about. You can simply write “GPI” or “gpi” to let them know you would’ve liked to be there, but clearly weren’t invited.
Now, it can sound too serious. Like you’re mad and they’re going to be like “oh, oh, we forgot to invite her/him”. But you can also mean it as a joke. Maybe you knew about the reunion but couldn’t go, so you joked with them saying “gpi”.
As if the reason you didn’t go was that they didn’t invite you, but you all know that wasn’t the case. Of course, you can know the intention of the “gpi” comment through the context of the situation. Beware: Like we said above, it’s often used sarcastically.
5. XFA
It can also be written in lowercase letters: “xfa”.
In Spanish, “please” is “por favor”. The “x” is a letter. But it’s also the multiplication sign, aka the times sign. Which in Spanish is pronounced as “veces”. For example: 2×2 is “dos veces dos” (two times two). But the multiplication sign in Spanish is also very commonly called “por”. For example: 2×2 is “dos por dos” (two times two).
As you can see in “por favor”, the first word of it is “por”. That is the same word as the one people use to refer to the multiplication sign in Spanish. Do you see it now? They’re written and sound the same! That’s why instead of using a “por” in “por favor”, people abbreviate it with an “X”.
Now, for the “fa” is just a shortened version of “favor” (favor). They only used the first syllable of the second word of the phrase “por favor”.
6. X
Like we said above, the word “por” (by / through / for) in a very informal way is represented by the multiplication sign “x”. So, if you ever see the letter “x” just like that in a chat with your friends it means they’re saying “por” (by/ through/ for).
For example: “Vamos a la tienda x unos dulces” (let’s go to the shop for some candies).
7. Q
Here’s another letter just by herself. What could it represent? Simple, it means “que / qué” (that / what?). They’re only using the first letter of the whole word. For example: ¿Q te dijo? (What did he/she tell you?)
8. MSJ
This is an abbreviation for “mensaje” (message). As you can see, Spanish speakers use letters of the whole word for the abbreviation. So it’s not hard to remember. They use the first letter, one from the middle, and the second to last letter.
9. NTP
“NTP” is short for “no te preocupes” (don’t worry). They use the initials of each word in this phrase to form the abbreviation. As with many other abbreviations, it can be written in capital or lowercase letters. NTP about it; both are correct.
10. NTC
This one looks very much like the one above; it only changes 1 letter. It means “no te creas” (Don’t believe it). It’s like “Nah, I was joking”. As you might’ve noticed, “ntc” is also based on the initials of each word of the whole phrase.
11. Ps
“Pues” is a causal conjunction. So it’s a word like “porque” (because) or “ya que” (since). For example: “Estoy enojada, pues no he comido” (I’m angry, because I haven’t eaten). You can also hear it being used as an interjection. For example: “Órale, pues!” (Okay, then). Or “¡Pues te demostraré que sí puedo!” (Well, I’ll show you I can!)
Its informal abbreviation for the world of chats is “ps”. They use the first and last letter of the word to form it.
You might also hear and see the word “pos”. That’s another form to shorten and abbreviate this word. This is because when people speak fast it sounds as if the word had an “o”. For example: “El perro juega mucho pos tiene mucha energía” (the dog plays a lot because it has a lot of energy).
12. Tp
This is the abbreviation for “tampoco” (neither / either). It’s formed just by two letters of the whole word.
13. Qtal?
This is the abbreviation of “¿qué tal?” (what’s up?). At the same time, “¿qué tal?” is a casual way of asking someone how they are, what’s going on or how something went.
For the abbreviation, people use the letter “q” which, as we learned above, represents the word “que”. For a more informal way, get rid of the upside-down question mark. Then just get rid of the space between the two words. But you can also find it and write it with the space between words, so: “q tal?”.
14. Amix
Do you want another with an “x”? Great! We have “amix”. Amix comes from amigo (male) or amiga (female), which means “friend”. Basically, you just have to eliminate the “go/ga” and replace it with the letter “x”. That’s it, no greater science behind it.
You might also find some people use the plural “amixes”, which comes from “amigos” (friends).
15. Bn
This is an abbreviation for “bien” (good). They use the first and last letters of the word to form the short version. Now the next time a Hispanic friend asks you how you’re doing, you can answer “bn”.
16. Bno
Try not to get it confused with “bn”, as they look similar. The abbreviation “bno” means “bueno” (good / well). For example: “El postre está muy bno” (The dessert is very good). Or “Bno, vamos al grano” (Well, let’s get to the point).
17. Xq
As we’ve seen so far, the letter “x” is very popular for abbreviations in Spanish. Here’s another one: “xq”. As you might know, there are different types of “porque”. The “xq” can represent all of them in an informal, casual chat conversation. Never use it for serious situations or environments, like at work.
As we explained above, the “x” represents the multiplication sign that is pronounced “por”. The “q” represents the word “que”. The whole phrase “por que”, sounds just like the letter “x” and the “que” word together. That’s why it’s represented with the “xq” symbol.
18. Bss
This is the abbreviation of “besos” (kisses). As you can notice, it’s formed by the first, middle and last letters of the whole word.
19. Bb
You’ll usually find it written in lowercase letters: “bb”. This is the abbreviation for the word “bebé” (baby), which is pronounced “beh beh”. Meanwhile, the letter “b” in Spanish is pronounced as “beh”. So when you put together two letters “b”, it sounds just like “bebé”.
Next time you’re writing a cute WhatsApp message to your Hispanic boyfriend you can add: “bss, bb”.
20. Dnd
This is the abbreviation of “donde / dónde” (where). They use three letters of the whole word to form the abbreviation.
21. Tb
This is the abbreviation for “también” (also / too), and it’s formed only by two letters of the whole world. For example: “¿Tú tb?” (You too?) “Sí, yo tb reprobé el examen” (Yes, I also failed the exam).
22. Vdd
This is the abbreviation for the word “verdad” (true). It’s formed by three letters of the whole word. You might also find it as “vd”.
23. Muxo
This one was very popular years ago, but you might still find it written like this. It’s the abbreviation of the word “mucho” (much). Picture this: Your friend tells you he/her likes you. You can answer: “Ps la vdd tb me gustas muxo” (Well, the truth is I also like you very much).
24. mg
This is very popular for interacting on social media. The “mg” abbreviation means “me gusta” (I like it). You might see it a lot on different posts when they say “deja tu mg” (leave your like). They’re asking you to like the post.
25. RRSS
We’ve been talking about chatting through social media. But now that we think about it, what is the Spanish abbreviation for “social media”?
Well, you first must know that social media in Spanish is “redes sociales” (plural). So, the abbreviation has the first letter of each word, and they’re duplicated because it’s plural.
The right way to write is RR. SS. But in an informal chat with your friends, you might find it as RRSS.
Did I Just Became Fluent in Spanish? Cause It Feels Like I Did!
Tbh, no, you didn’t. Abbreviations to chat in Spanish don’t make you 100% fluent. But you did take a huge step in learning them, because they will make you sound more like a native. So, congrats!
Now it’s time for you to go one step further, so you learn more things and practice everything. Only then will you master the Spanish language. Do you know who can help you become truly fluent? Us!
TruFluency offers Spanish classes with native teachers. So you can be sure you’ll learn truly useful things for real-life. Plus, our lessons are completely customized to your language goals and needs.
Do you want to learn more abbreviations? We can help you! Do you need more formal vocabulary? We’ll do that too! Whatever it is, tell us, we’re here for you!
We also base our lessons in the Bellieu Method, created to encourage you to speak in your target language using what you’ve learned. So, you can achieve Spanish fluency.
Take two one-hour trial classes now! We know you have a tight agenda, so classes are online, and we have flexible schedules to choose from. Qtal? ¿Te gusta la idea? TruFluency FTW!
