osculum
[ˈoːs.kʊ.ɫũː]neuter
The English word 'kiss' is translated into Latin as osculum. Wiktionary also lists basium and suavium.
Meaning: a touch with the lips (noun)
Ways to say it
| Latin | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| osculum | [ˈoːs.kʊ.ɫũː] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈɔs.ku.lum] (narrow) |
neuter |
| basium | [ˈbaː.si.ũː] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈbaː.s̬i.um] (narrow) |
neuter |
| suavium | [ˈsʷaː.wi.ũː] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈsʷaː.vi.um] (narrow) |
neuter |
| sāvium | neuter |
All the provided forms refer to a touch with the lips. In Latin, the act of kissing is often expressed through the idiom osculum dare, which literally means 'to give a kiss'.
Which one should you use?
While osculum is the standard term, basium is a more poetic or literary word for a kiss. The forms suavium and sāvium are also available as neuter nouns.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The word osculum is a neuter noun. Its plural form is oscula.
Did you know?
- In Roman society, the osculum was not only romantic but served as a formal greeting among friends and family.
- The Latin word osculum is actually a diminutive, combining the word for 'mouth' with a suffix that makes it 'little mouth'.
Examples in context
- Cur non dedisti osculum ei?Why didn't you kiss her?This sentence shows how to ask why someone did not give a kiss using osculum.Tatoeba #8277276 by soweli_Elepanto, translation #6691364 by Hybrid
- Maria feli suae osculum dedit.Mary gave her cat a kiss.This sentence illustrates the use of the idiom 'to give a kiss' with osculum.Tatoeba #7014449 by alexmarcelo, translation #11792527 by shekitten
- Da osculum ei.Give him a kiss.This sentence shows how to use osculum when giving a command to give a kiss.Tatoeba #8081058 by soweli_Elepanto, translation #3915889 by CH
- Amabo te, da mihi osculum.Please, give me a kiss.
- Dat basium amicae suae.He gives a kiss to his girlfriend.
- Basium dulce dabo tibi.I will give you a sweet kiss.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A couple is saying goodbye in a garden.
- QuintusUnum osculum mihi da.Give me one kiss.
- LuciaEcce osculum.Here is a kiss.
- QuintusGratias tibi ago, Lucia.Thank you, Lucia.
- LuciaVale, Quinte.Farewell, Quintus.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “kiss” translations and entries osculum, basium, suavium, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries basium, osculum, suavium, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
