besotes
/besotes/from spelling rules
The English phrase "big kisses" is translated into Spanish as besotes.
besotes is an affectionate way to say goodbye or express love. It is commonly used as a sign-off in informal text messages, emails or letters to express warmth.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is formed from besos (kisses) with the augmentative suffix -otes, which intensifies the noun to mean "big" or "large".
Which one should you use?
While besos means "kisses", besotes adds an augmentative layer that emphasizes the scale or intensity of the affection.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
besotes is highly informal and affectionate, typically used among close friends or family members.
How do you pronounce it?
/besotes/
Did you know?
- The suffix -ote in besotes is part of a class of words called aumentativos, which allows Spanish speakers to alter the emotional temperature of a noun through grammar alone instead of using an adjective like 'big'.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, a greeting consists of dos besos (two kisses) on the cheeks, but besotes is almost exclusively reserved for written or highly emotional verbal contexts.
- The suffix used in besotes can sometimes shift a noun's meaning from simply 'large' to something 'clumsy' or 'exaggerated', adding a layer of playful awkwardness to the affection.
Examples in context
- Hola María, te mando un besote enorme desde Argentina.Hi María, I'm sending you a huge kiss from Argentina.
- Te mando muchos besotes.I send you big kisses.
- ¡Besotes para todos en casa!Big kisses to everyone at home!
Example conversation
María and Daniel are finishing a phone call.
- MaríaBueno Daniel, tengo que colgar.Well Daniel, I have to hang up.
- DanielVale, hablamos luego, María.Okay, we'll talk later, María.
- María¡Besotes!Big kisses!
- Daniel¡Otro para ti!One for you too!
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
