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English abbreviations: informal language in chat

Abbreviations in English are used to shorten the writing of some words or groups of words. The most common are for formal use and we can often find abbreviations such as UK (United Kingdom) to refer to the United Kingdom or ETA (Estimated time of arrival) on the screens of an airport. However, few know the more informal English abbreviations that are often used in more relaxed environments and, above all, when chatting with friends. For this reason, in this post you will find a list of the most common English abbreviations

Normally, our academic English allows us to communicate correctly with English speakers, from a grammatical and spelling point of view. However, when we meet exchange friends or want to socialize in English with young people in informal settings, we come across certain shortcomings. In these cases, knowing how to write a formal letter or prepare an essay is of little use.

In this article we want you to learn the list of useful English abbreviations for everyday use that will allow you to communicate through social networks and chat with ease and fluency, surely you have already come across some of them and even have incorporated into your writing.

There have always been informal English abbreviations such as ASAP (as are as possible) or the typical XOXO (hugs & kisses) that we are usually taught to end letters to friends. However, since instant messaging applications such as Whatsapp emerged, a greater number of abbreviations in English have been introduced to speed up communication and save us time in responding.

List of informal English abbreviations

Abbreviation	Meaning
@	At (to indicate a place)
two	Too, to
2DY	Today
4	For
4U	for you
afaik	As far as I know
DC	city ​​center
cu	See you
cuz	Because
wow	For your information
atb	all the best
b4	Before
b/c	because
bf	boyfriend, bestfriend
brb	be right back
btw	by the way
byob	Bring your own beer
gf	girlfriend
gtg	got to go Sometimes it is difficult to end a chat conversation with a friend or simply tell them that it is not a good time to continue talking. In English, just put "gtg" to end a conversation.
hth	Hope this help
idk	I don't know
IMO	in my opinion
kits	Keep-in-touch
LOL	laugh out loud
m8	Mate
mb	Maybe
nsfw	Not suitable for work. In WhatsApp conversations with friends, funny videos or audios are usually sent with content that is not very appropriate in a formal environment, in English the abbreviation "nsfw" is used to warn your friends not to open it at work. Therefore, if you receive this message, it is better to wait until you get home to open the file if you do not want to be the center of attention in the office.
nvm	never mind
omg	oh my god
omg	on my way
pls	por favor
ppl	People
q4u	Question for you
r	Are
sec	Second
smh	Shaking my head (ugh!)
His p?	What's up?
tbh	to be honest
tgif	Thanks God is Friday
thx	thanks
tmr	tomorrow
or	You
ur	your
wow	Waste of money
wtf	What the f***
and	why

If you start using these abbreviations in your chat conversations, you will surprise your English-speaking friends. If you want to solicize with ordinary people, you need to start familiarizing yourself with informal English. And you? Do you know other abbreviations?

English abbreviations and acronyms used on the internet

There are many abbreviations and acronyms in English used on the internet. Their main function is to facilitate day-to-day communication, making the conversation faster.

There are many abbreviations and acronyms in English to chat online

When we talk personally with our family, friends, co-workers, among other people, we are not used to abbreviating words in our speech. However, when it comes to written electronic conversations, what we do most is “shorten” our utterances as much as possible!

The English language also has numerous resources that are used to facilitate and speed up online conversation.

I'm saying AAF that AML is 4 you. There's only 1thg 2say 3wds 4u: I luv u!
I'm saying as a friend that all my love is for you. There's only one thing to say, three words for you: I love you!

Here are some abbreviations and acronyms that are widely used for internet communication:

AAF = As A Friend / As a friend

AAM = All About Me / All About Me

ABM = A Big Mistake / A

ABT = About / Sobre

AML = All My Love / All my love

AP = Awesome person/ people / Wonderful / amazing person(s)

FAIK = As Far I Know / As

ASAP = As Soon As Possible /

BBL = Be Back Later / Come

BBS = Be Back in a Second / Be Back in a Second!

Don't stop now... There's more after the publicity ;)

GTG, G2G = Got to go / Gotta go

HTH = Hope This Help / Hope this helps

LOL =Laughing Out Loud

LMAO = Laughing My Ass Off / Rindo pra caramba

ROTFL = Rolling on the Floor Laughing / rolling on the floor laughing

NP = No Problem / No problem!

OIC = Oh I See / Ah sim, entendi

OMG =Oh My God/Gosh/Goodness / Oh Meu Deus

OTOH = On The Other Hand / On the other hand

PPL =people/ pessoal

PVT = private / private, personal, private.

TTYL =Talk To You Later / Depois falamos

U = You / You

AF = At First / A princípio

YWK = You Would Know / You Should Know

YWMC = Your Wish is My Command / Your wish is an order

YWSYLS = You Win Some, You Lose Some / You win some and lose some

YYSSW = Yeah Yeah Sure Sure Whatever / Yes Yes

ZZZ = Tired or Bored / Tired or Bored