키스
kiseu[cçis͈ɯ]
The English word 'kiss' can be translated into Korean using several terms depending on the context, primarily 키스 (kiseu), 입맞춤 or 뽀뽀.
Meaning: a touch with the lips (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 키스 | kiseu | [cçis͈ɯ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 입맞춤 | immatchum | [imma̠t̚t͡ɕʰum] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 뽀뽀 | ppoppo | [p͈o̞p͈o̞] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
The loanword 키스 is used for more romantic or passionate kissing, often appearing in songs, movies or more adult contexts. The word 뽀뽀 refers to a light, cute or affectionate peck, often used between lovers or when kissing a child.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 입맞춤 is a native Korean term composed of 입 (mouth) and 맞춤 (matching/fitting).
Which one should you use?
While 키스 is used for more romantic or passionate kissing, 뽀뽀 refers to a light, cute or affectionate peck.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
뽀뽀 is a common and widely used informal way to say 'kiss' in a casual and friendly context. 뽀뽀하다 is a much more casual and 'cute' way to say 'to kiss' compared to the other forms.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To turn the noun 키스 into a verb, you add the auxiliary verb 하다 to create 키스하다.
How do you pronounce it?
kiseu
Did you know?
- While English uses 'kiss' for almost any lip contact, using 키스 in a public or formal setting in Korea can carry a much heavier, more sexually suggestive weight than it does in English.
- The word 뽀뽀 is an example of a reduplicative word, which in Korean is often used to create a 'cute' or 'childlike' feeling known as 'aegyo'.
- In some Korean children's songs or nursery rhymes, the sound of the word 뽀뽀 is used rhythmically to mimic the sound of a quick peck, much like 'mwah' in English.
Examples in context
- 내가 너라면 톰에게 키스할 거야.If I were you, I'd kiss Tom.This sentence demonstrates how to use the form 키스 in a conditional statement.Tatoeba #13755299 by qlTmalffk, translation #5837895 by CK
- 걔네는 키스 이상은 절대 안 했어.They never did more than kiss.This sentence shows the use of 키스 to describe a limit of physical intimacy.Tatoeba #13756353 by qlTmalffk, translation #7775337 by Hybrid
- 키스해줘.Kiss me.This sentence provides a direct command using the form 키스.Tatoeba #11104712 by intertime, translation #565931 by Fish
- 너랑 사귀기 시작하면서 첫 뽀뽀를 했어.We kissed for the first time when we started dating.
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A romantic couple is walking in a park at night.
- 민준 Min-jun서연아, 너랑 키스하고 싶어.Seoyeon-a, neorang kiseu-hago sipeo.Seoyeon, I want to kiss you.
- 서연 Seo-yeon갑자기 뭐야? 부끄러워.Gapjagi mwoya? Bukkeureowo.What's this all of a sudden? I'm shy.
- 민준 Min-jun진심이야. 키스해도 될까?Jinsimiya. Kiseu-haedo doelka?I'm serious. Can I kiss you?
- 서연 Seo-yeon응, 민준아. 좋아.Eung, Minjun-a. Jo-a.Yes, Minjun. I'd like that.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “kiss” translations and entries 키스, 입맞춤, 뽀뽀, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
