beso
/ˈbeso/masculine
The English word "kiss" is beso in Spanish. Wiktionary also lists ósculo.
Meaning: a touch with the lips (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| beso | /ˈbeso/ | masculine |
| ósculo | /ˈoskulo/ | masculine |
beso refers to a touch with the lips. It is a masculine noun. You can specify the location of the kiss by using the phrase dar un beso en followed by a body part. Additionally, un beso is a common way to say "goodbye" or "kisses" when ending a conversation or a letter in informal Spanish. The related verb besar means to touch with the lips, while besarse means to touch each other's lips.
Which one should you use?
While beso is the common word for a kiss, ósculo is a highly formal, literary or even archaic term used primarily in poetry or formal writing.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain (General), beso is the word used.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of beso is besos.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈbeso/
Did you know?
- In Spain, the customary greeting involves dos besos, where people touch cheeks twice. However, the 'kiss' is not on the lips but a light brush of the cheeks while making a kissing sound.
- The word beso is used in the phrase beso de Judas, which refers to a betrayal. This is a direct reference to the biblical kiss that identified Jesus to his captors.
- The English word 'mouth' and the formal Spanish word ósculo both share a common ancestor in the Latin word ōs.
Examples in context
- ¿Un beso o dos?One kiss or two?Tatoeba #2690500 by marcelostockle, translation #2690321 by fekundulo
- Dale un beso a Tom.Give Tom a kiss.Tatoeba #2256269 by marcelostockle, translation #1877596 by CK
- Venga, dame un beso.Come on, give me a kiss.Tatoeba #7979740 by Seael, translation #2718088 by Hybrid
- Un beso, por favor.A kiss, please.
- Por favor, dame un beso.Please give me a kiss.
- dar un beso en la mejillaTo give a kiss on the cheek
- dar un beso en los labiosTo give a kiss on the lips
- Te daré un beso en la frente.I will give you a kiss on the forehead.
- Me encanta cuando nos damos besitos.I love it when we give each other little kisses.
- ¿Quieres que te dé un beso?Do you want me to give you a kiss?
- 85 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Lucía are saying goodbye at the park.
- DanielTe doy un beso de despedida.I will give you a kiss goodbye.
- LucíaGracias, Daniel, fue un placer verte.Thank you, Daniel, it was a pleasure to see you.
- DanielUn beso y hasta pronto.A kiss and see you soon.
- LucíaAdiós, que te vaya bien.Goodbye, I hope everything goes well for you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “kiss” translations and entries beso, ósculo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries beso, ósculo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
