baiser
/bɛ.ze/
The French phrase baiser means to kiss.
The term refers to the act of touching someone's lips with your own as a sign of love or greeting. However, be aware that in modern French, the verb baiser is generally considered quite informal and even vulgar.
Which one should you use?
While baiser is a word for kissing, it is often avoided due to its vulgar connotation. For a common and straightforward way to say to kiss, you should use embrasser. If you want to refer to the traditional greeting of kissing each cheek, use the expression faire la bise. For a colloquial and slightly vulgar way to describe a French kiss, the expression rouler une pelle is used.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, Canada, people often use the verb se bécoter to mean to kiss.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of baiser is /bɛ.ze/. It has 2 syllables.
When do people say it?
In French culture, the act of kissing each cheek as a greeting is a common tradition known as faire la bise.
Did you know?
- In France, the number of kisses exchanged during faire la bise varies by region, with some areas doing two, three or even four kisses.
- The noun un baiser remains a romantic and poetic word for 'a kiss', while the verb baiser has evolved into a vulgar term for sex.
- The modern vulgar meaning of the verb baiser developed through euphemism, where a polite word for kissing was used to hide a sexual meaning.
Example conversation
A couple is saying goodbye at the train station.
- ManonJe vais déjà m'en aller, Lucas.I have to go now, Lucas.
- LucasViens me baiser une dernière fois.Come kiss me one last time.
- ManonJe t'aime tellement.I love you so much.
- LucasMoi aussi, Manon. Bon voyage.Me too, Manon. Have a good trip.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry baiser, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries baiser, CC BY-SA 4.0.
