bisous
The English phrase "hugs and kisses" is translated into French as bisous.
bisous is used as an affectionate closing in letters or messages to friends and family. You can also say Bisous et câlins à tous! to express hugs and kisses to everyone, or add the adjective gros to create Gros bisous (big kisses) to make the closing even more affectionate. If you are addressing someone you have a close relationship with in an informal way, you might also use Je t'embrasse, which means "I hug/kiss you".
Which one should you use?
The word for "hugs" is câlins, but this is rarely used on its own as a sign-off. Speakers usually just say bisous to cover both the idea of hugs and kisses.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
bisous is an informal way to say "kisses" and is the standard closing for friends or family. If you are expressing affection to someone you address with the formal or plural vous, you should use the phrase je vous embrasse instead of bisous.
How does it change in a sentence?
bisous is a noun that is almost always used in its plural form when used as a closing.
Did you know?
- Depending on the region of France, the number of bisous exchanged during a greeting can vary from two to four, or even more in some rural areas.
- In very modern digital slang, French speakers often shorten bisous to biz in text messages to save time.
- In many French-speaking regions, the physical act of 'la bise' (cheek kissing) is a standard greeting, making the concept of 'bisous' feel more grounded in physical reality than the English 'kisses' might feel.
Examples in context
- Câlins et bisous.Hugs and kisses.This sentence is useful for practicing the word bisous.Tatoeba #11938014 by Fenrir, translation #10713014 by vxern
- Je t'embrasse, gros bisous !Sending you kisses, big hugs!
- À bientôt, plein de bisous.See you soon, lots of kisses.
Example conversation
Manon is sending a quick text to her brother Gabriel.
- ManonTu viens manger ce soir ?Are you coming to eat tonight?
- GabrielOui, je serai là vers dix heures.Yes, I will be there around ten o'clock.
- ManonSuper, à tout à l'heure !Super, see you later!
- ManonBisous.Kisses.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
