profa

Profa is an informal Brazilian Portuguese term that serves as a shortened form of professora, the feminine form of professor. It is used to refer to a female teacher or lecturer in casual speech and writing.

Usage is common in educational settings and among peers, students, and colleagues. People might say, for example, “a profa chegou” or “a profa explicou a matéria.” The term can convey familiarity, warmth, or affection toward the instructor, but it is typically inappropriate in formal communications or official documents, where the full title professora or the professional title is preferred. Some educators may embrace the term in informal environments, while others discourage it if used by students who do not know the teacher well.

Linguistically, profa is a clipped, feminine form derived from professora. It reflects a broader pattern in Portuguese of forming familiar terms by shortening longer titles. Usage varies by region and context: in formal settings or in Portugal and other Portuguese-speaking areas, many speakers prefer the full title, and acceptance of the term can depend on the relationship between speaker and teacher.

Related terms include professora, professor, and docente.