Essential French Abbreviations: The Complete Collection

Navigating through the French language can sometimes feel like deciphering a code, especially when it comes to understanding common abbreviations.

Whether you’re reading a text message, browsing a French website, or navigating administrative documents, knowing these abbreviations can be invaluable.

This list of “Common French Abbreviations” serves as a key to unlocking clearer, more efficient communication in French. From everyday slang to formal acronyms, this guide will help you understand and use French abbreviations with ease.

1. AC (Avant Christ) – B.C. (Before Christ)
2. A+ (À Plus Tard) -> Talk To You Later (TTYL)
3. AD (Après Dés) – A.D. (Anno Domini)
4. BAC (Baccalauréat) – High School Diploma
5. CAF (Caisse d’Allocations Familiales) – Family Allowance Fund
6. CDI (Contrat à Durée Indéterminée) – Permanent Contract
7. D.A.B. (Distributeur Automatique de Billets) -> Automated Teller Machine (ATM)
8. FAQ -> F.A.Q. (Foire Aux Questions) – Frequently Asked Questions
9. HT (Hors Taxes) – Excluding Taxes
10. ISBN (Numéro International Normalisé du Livre) – ISBN (International Standard Book Number)
11. Km/h (Kilomètre par Heure) – km/h (Kilometers per Hour)
12. M.D.R. (Mort de Rire) -> Laughing Out Loud (LOL)
13. O.N.G. (Organisation Non Gouvernementale) -> Non-Governmental Organization (NGO)
14. O.V.N.I. (Objet Volant Non Identifié) – Unidentified Flying Object (UFO)
15. P.D.G. (Président Directeur Général) -> Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
16. P.S. (Post Scriptum) -> The same as in English, meaning “written after”
17. P.D.V. (Point de Vue) -> Point Of View (POV)
18. POV -> P.D.V. (Point de Vue) – Point Of View
19. PS (Post-scriptum) – P.S. (Postscript)
20. R.H. (Ressources Humaines) -> Human Resources (HR)
21. R.I.P. (Repose en Paix) – Rest In Peace
22. RDV (Rendez-vous) – Appointment
23. RIP -> R.I.P. (Repose en Paix) – Rest In Peace
24. SMS (Message Texte) – SMS (Short Message Service)
25. SVP (S’il Vous Plaît) – Please
26. TTC (Toutes Taxes Comprises) – All Taxes Included
27. TV (Télévision) – TV (Television)
28. VIP (Personne Très Importante) – VIP (Very Important Person)

Also, check these useful acronyms: 

1. ADN (Acide Désoxyribonucléique) ➔ Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)
2. AE (Auto-Entrepreneur) ➔ Sole Proprietorship
3. ANPE (Agence Nationale pour l’Emploi) ➔ National Employment Agency
4. ASSEDIC (Association pour l’Emploi dans l’Industrie et le Commerce) ➔ Association for Employment in Industry and Commerce
5. BCE (Banque Centrale Européenne) ➔ European Central Bank (ECB)
6. BCEAO (Banque Centrale des États de l’Afrique de l’Ouest) ➔ Central Bank of West African States
7. CAF (Caisse d’Allocations Familiales) ➔ Family Allowance Fund
8. CNIL (Commission Nationale de l’Informatique et des Libertés) ➔ National Commission on Informatics and Liberty
9. CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique) ➔ National Center for Scientific Research
10. CP (Conseil de Prud’hommes) ➔ Labor Disputes Board
11. CPAM (Caisse Primaire d’Assurance Maladie) ➔ Primary Health Insurance Fund
12. FMI (Fonds Monétaire International) ➔ International Monetary Fund (IMF)
13. INSEE (Institut National de la Statistique et des Études Économiques) ➔ National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies
14. OMC (Organisation Mondiale du Commerce) ➔ World Trade Organization (WTO)
15. ONG (Organisation Non Gouvernementale) ➔ Non-Governmental Organization (NGO)
16. ONU (Organisation des Nations Unies) ➔ United Nations (UN)
17. OTAN (Organisation du Traité de l’Atlantique Nord) ➔ North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
18. RATP (Régie Autonome des Transports Parisiens) ➔ Autonomous Operator of Parisian Transports
19. SARL (Société à Responsabilité Limitée) ➔ Limited Liability Company (LLC)
20. SDF (Sans Domicile Fixe) ➔ Homeless (literally: without fixed abode)
21. SNCF (Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer) ➔ French National Railway Company
22. TGV (Train à Grande Vitesse) ➔ High-Speed Train
23. TVA (Taxe sur la Valeur Ajoutée) ➔ Value Added Tax (VAT)
24. URSSAF (Union de Recouvrement des Cotisations de Sécurité Sociale et d’Allocations Familiales) ➔ Union for the Collection of Social Security Contributions and Family Allowances

Mastering these common French abbreviations and acronyms will not only enhance your understanding of written and spoken French but also allow you to communicate more naturally and fluently.

Abbreviations are a shortcut to language efficiency and are widely used in various contexts, from casual conversations to professional communications.

By familiarizing yourself with these abbreviations, you’re taking an important step towards bridging language gaps and navigating the French-speaking world with greater confidence.

Remember, each abbreviation is a piece of the puzzle in understanding the full picture of the French language.