Abbreviations and acronyms (siglas) abound in the Spanish-speaking world, and it is beyond the scope of this book to provide a comprehensive survey. In practice, many abbreviations relating to political parties and commercial organizations are not recognized outside their immediate area of relevance, and they tend to be shortlived; when they are used in the press, for instance, they are usually explained when they first appear. A selection of the more important of these is given in the third list below. The majority of the abbreviations given here, however, are those which, unless stated otherwise, are used throughout the Hispanic world, and which are frequently used without explanation.

A more comprehensive list of abbreviations used in the Spanish-speaking world may be found in Diccionario de siglas y abreviaturas. Dictionary of Spanish-Language Abbreviations and Acronyms, by Thomas L. West (Atlanta, GA: Intermark Language Publications, 2002), and an older list in Diccionario de siglas y abreviaturas, edited by M. Alvar and A. Miró (Madrid: Alhambra, 1983).

note: The pronunciation of an abbreviation which is pronounced as if it were a word in its own right is given in conventional spelling in brackets, eg SEAT (séat). An abbreviation pronounced letter by letter is marked with an asterisk. In all other instances the words to which the abbreviation relates are spoken in full.