بوسة
būseeveryday, Lebanese
In Lebanese Arabic, a kiss is a بوسة (būse). The formal word is قبلة (ʾubla). For "kiss me" say بوسني (būsni).
Meaning: touch with the lips (noun)
Ways to say it
| Lebanese | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| بوسة | būse | everyday, Lebanese |
| قبلة | ʾubla | formal, standard |
| بوسني | būsni | kiss me |
بوسة is used between friends, family and partners. Parents give a بوسة to their children all the time.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb "to kiss" is بوس (būs). The command to a man is بوس and the command to a woman is بوسي (būsi).
When do people say it?
Cheek kisses are a common greeting among friends and family in Lebanon.
Did you know?
- The common Lebanese phrase بوسة (būse) is nearer to everyday family life than the book word قبلة.
Examples in context
- بوسني قبل ما تروحbūsni ʾabl ma trūḥKiss me before you go.
- القبلة الأولى بتتذكر دايماًel-ʾubla l-ūla bittidhakkar dāymanThe first kiss is always remembered.
Example conversation
Mira says goodbye to her grandmother after a family lunch.
- Miraيلا تيتا، منشوفكyalla tēta, mnshūfikOkay grandma, see you.
- Grandmotherعطيني بوسةʿaṭīni būseGive me a kiss.
- Miraتكرم عيونك، بوسة كبيرةtikram ʿyūnik, būse kbīreOf course, a big kiss.
