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In mathematics, we have what are called hyperbolic trigonometric functions. For example, hyperbolic sine, hyperbolic tangent, hyperbolic cosine, etc... We generally write these functions with abbreviations like sinh, tanh, cosh, etc... In English, we go one step further and abbreviate their pronunciation as well. When we see 'sinh', we say "sinch". When we see 'tanh', we also say 'tanch'. When we see 'cosh', we also say 'cosh'.

I'm curious if something similar is practiced in Spanish as well. Are these particular functions commonly pronounced in a contracted manner?

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I'd say it is uncommon (at least in Spain) to abbreviate the pronunciation.

I've always heard the full pronunciation even though it's written in the contracted manner.

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    +1. I've never heard a contracted form of the hyperbolic functions (and I've taken courses making an extensive use of them)
    – Ignacio Contreras Pinilla
    Commented Jul 19, 2012 at 10:04
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    I agree with @IgnacioContreras. I've never heard a contracted form, either. I've always heard "coseno hiperbólico", "tangente hiperbólica", etc.
    – MikMik
    Commented Jul 19, 2012 at 11:52
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    I agree. The only "exception" I can think of right now could be sinc(x) function for "cardinal sine". In Spanish I have always called it "función sinc" instead of "función seno cardinal", indeed I have never heard anyone calling it by its original name.
    – Javi
    Commented Jul 20, 2012 at 8:51
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    @Javi: I've just learnt something. I had always read or heard "sinc", never "seno cardinal". And I've used it quite a lot!
    – MikMik
    Commented Jul 23, 2012 at 8:27
  • Same here (Argentina)
    – leonbloy
    Commented Jul 28, 2012 at 17:29
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As far as I know, it is not true.

In Spanish, we may write sin(x) or sen(x), but in both cases we say "Seno de x":

  • sin(x), sen(x): Seno de x
  • cos(x): Coseno de x
  • ...

We may also write sinh(x) or senh(x), but we say "Seno hiperbólico de x"

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