embrasser
/ɑ̃.bʁa.se/
The French phrase for "to kiss" is embrasser.
Embrasser is a verb used to mean "to kiss". It can also mean "to embrace" or "to hug" in many contexts.
Which one should you use?
While embrasser means "to kiss", it is often used in a more formal or literary sense. For the common social custom of greeting or saying goodbye with kisses on the cheeks, French speakers typically use the phrase faire la bise instead of embrasser. Additionally, bisou is a commonly used noun for a "kiss" in an affectionate and informal way.
How do you pronounce it?
The word embrasser has 3 syllables and is pronounced /ɑ̃.bʁa.se/.
When do people say it?
The phrase faire la bise refers to the customary French gesture of greeting or saying goodbye by kissing someone on the cheeks.
Did you know?
- While embrasser can mean 'to kiss', it is also used in specific contexts to mean 'to encompass' or 'to include' a wide range of ideas.
- The verb embrasser contains the word bras, which means 'arm' in English. This reveals that the word literally traces back to the physical act of surrounding someone with one's arms.
- Depending on the region of France, the number of kisses in faire la bise can vary from two to four. This can lead to awkward social moments when two people disagree on when to stop.
Examples in context
- Je veux embrasser Tom.I want to kiss Tom.This sentence is useful for showing the use of embrasser with a person's name.Tatoeba #5385469 by pititnatole, translation #2011417 by CK
- Je ne vais pas t'embrasser.I'm not going to kiss you.This sentence is useful for showing the negative form of embrasser with a pronoun.Tatoeba #5835143 by Aiji, translation #2544722 by CK
- Tu ne vas pas m'embrasser ?Aren't you going to kiss me?This sentence is useful for showing a question using embrasser with a pronoun.Tatoeba #8269941 by Aiji, translation #4014494 by CK
- Puis-je vous embrasser ?May I kiss you?
- Je vous embrasse sur les deux joues.I kiss you on both cheeks.
- Envoyer un baiserTo blow a kiss
- Fais-moi un bisou !Give me a kiss!
- Les enfants échangent des bisous.The children are exchanging kisses.
- On se fait la bise ?Shall we kiss each other on the cheek?
- Je t'ai fait la bise.I kissed you on the cheek.
- Ils se sont galochés toute la soirée.They were French-kissing all evening.
- On a galoché dans le parc.We French-kissed in the park.
- 71 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A romantic evening at a park.
- ManonEst-ce que je peux t'embrasser ?Can I kiss you?
- NathanOui, j'en ai très envie.Yes, I really want to.
- ManonTu es très beau, Nathan.You are very handsome, Nathan.
- NathanEt toi, Manon, tu es magnifique.And you, Manon, you are beautiful.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry embrasser, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries embrasser, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
