How to Say "Kiss" in Japanese

キス

kisu[kʲi̥sɨ]

The English word "kiss" is translated into Japanese as キス (kisu). Wiktionary also lists 接吻 (seppun) and 口付け (kuchizuke).

Meaning: a touch with the lips (noun)

Ways to say it

The term refers to a touch with the lips.

While キス is modern and casual, 口付け has a more poetic or old-fashioned nuance often found in literature. 接吻 serves as a formal or technical term.

キス is the most common way to say "kiss" in everyday conversation and is considered informal. 接吻 is a formal or literary term.

To turn the noun キス into the verb "to kiss", you add the verb する to create キスする. The past tense of this verb is キスした.

kisu

In historical Japanese literature, romantic longing was often expressed through the 'sleeves' of a kimono touching, as explicit mentions of 口付け were considered too provocative.
While キス is common today, public displays of affection were historically rare in Japan, and kissing was not a traditional way to show love until Western influence grew.
The kanji used in the formal term 接吻 (seppun) literally translates to 'joining breaths', a poetic way of describing the closeness of the act.

キスしていい？
Can I kiss you?
This sentence is useful for asking permission using キス.
Tatoeba #2847827 by tommy_san, translation #2481266 by Hybrid
キスされたの？
Did he kiss you?
This sentence is useful for asking about an action involving キス.
Tatoeba #11455795 by small_snow, translation #5318402 by Hybrid
トムとキスする。
I'm going to kiss Tom.
This sentence is useful for expressing an intention to perform the action with キス.
Tatoeba #7422870 by Ninja, translation #7418734 by CK
95 more sentences on Tatoeba

Yota and Misaki are saying goodbye after a date.

陽太 Yota

最後にキスしてもいい？
Saigo ni kisu shite mo ii?
Can I give you a kiss before I go?
美咲 Misaki

いいよ。おいで。
Ii yo. Oide.
Sure. Come here.
陽太 Yota

ありがとう、美咲。
Arigatou, Misaki.
Thank you, Misaki.
美咲 Misaki

また明日ね。
Mata ashita ne.
See you tomorrow.

Sources

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