Cette page dans ta langue

English

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

A2 noun #6,000 le plus courant 10 min de lecture

el beso

Top 6,000

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces el beso en 30 secondes

Explication el beso in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'el beso' is introduced as a basic noun for a kiss. Students learn it primarily in the context of greetings. You will learn to say 'hola' and 'adiós' accompanied by 'un beso' (one kiss) or 'dos besos' (two kisses). The focus is on the masculine gender of the word and its plural form 'besos'. You might use it in simple sentences like 'Mamá, un beso' or 'Dame un beso'. It's about recognizing the word in social settings and understanding that it's a common way to say hello or goodbye in Spanish-speaking countries.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'el beso' with more verbs and in more varied social contexts. You learn the phrase 'dar un beso' (to give a kiss) and start to distinguish between a kiss on the cheek ('en la mejilla') and a kiss on the lips ('en los labios'). You also encounter the diminutive 'besito' and learn that it is used to show extra affection, especially with children or close friends. You might start to see 'besos' used at the end of informal emails or text messages as a friendly closing.

At the B1 level, you explore the emotional and idiomatic side of 'el beso'. You learn common expressions like 'robar un beso' (to steal a kiss) or 'mandar un beso' (to send a kiss). You can describe scenes in movies or books using the word and start to understand the cultural nuances of the 'dos besos' greeting in Spain versus Latin America. You are comfortable using adjectives to describe the kiss, such as 'un beso largo' or 'un beso rápido', and you understand the difference between 'besar' (verb) and 'beso' (noun) in complex sentences.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

At the B2 level, 'el beso' is used in more abstract and metaphorical ways. You might encounter idioms like 'el beso de Judas' (betrayal) or 'el beso de la muerte'. You can discuss the social implications of physical contact in different cultures and use the word in more sophisticated grammatical structures, such as 'Si me hubieras dado un beso, me habría quedado'. You also become aware of the different registers, knowing that 'beso' is neutral while 'ósculo' is very formal and 'piquito' is informal.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

At the C1 level, you analyze 'el beso' in literature and film as a symbol. You understand the historical evolution of the word from the Latin 'basium' and can appreciate the nuances in poetic works where 'el beso' might represent a range of complex human emotions. You can use the word in high-level debates about social etiquette and non-verbal communication. You are also familiar with regional slang related to kissing across various Spanish-speaking countries and can switch between these registers effortlessly.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

At the C2 level, your mastery of 'el beso' is near-native. You understand the deepest cultural, historical, and linguistic connotations of the word. You can use it in academic writing about semiotics or cultural anthropology. You recognize obscure literary references to 'besos' in Golden Age Spanish literature and modern experimental prose alike. You can play with the word in puns, double entendres, and sophisticated humor, fully grasping how 'el beso' acts as a cornerstone of Hispanic social and emotional identity.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

el beso en 30 secondes

A masculine noun meaning 'the kiss.'
Used for greetings, affection, and romance.
Commonly paired with the verb 'dar' (to give).
Essential for understanding Hispanic social etiquette.

The term el beso is a fundamental masculine noun in the Spanish language that translates directly to 'the kiss' in English. While the physical definition—a touch with the lips—is universal, the cultural application of el beso in Spanish-speaking societies is vastly more expansive than in most English-speaking contexts. In the Hispanic world, el beso serves as a primary social lubricant, a ritual of greeting, a gesture of deep affection, and a symbol of romantic passion. From the moment children are born, they are encouraged to 'dar un beso' (give a kiss) to relatives, establishing the word as one of the first nouns a learner will encounter in a social setting. It is not merely a romantic act; it is a bridge of connection between friends, family members, and even new acquaintances in many regions.

Social Greeting: In Spain, the 'dos besos' (two kisses) is the standard greeting between women, and between men and women. In Latin America, a single kiss on the cheek is more common.

Ella me saludó con el beso tradicional en la mejilla.

Translation: She greeted me with the traditional kiss on the cheek.

Beyond greetings, el beso permeates literature, music, and daily idioms. Think of the world-famous song 'Bésame Mucho'—the noun form 'beso' is the root of the verb 'besar'. The word carries different weights depending on the preposition used. 'Un beso en la frente' (a kiss on the forehead) usually denotes protection or platonic love, whereas 'un beso en los labios' (a kiss on the lips) is strictly romantic. In digital communication, Spanish speakers frequently end messages with 'Besos' or 'Un beso,' which functions similarly to 'Kind regards' or 'Love' in English, but with a much higher frequency and less formality. It is a word that encapsulates the warmth and physical proximity characteristic of Mediterranean and Latin American cultures.

Diminutive Forms: You will often hear 'besito' (little kiss). This is used with children or to make a romantic gesture sound more playful and less intense.

Dale un besito a tu abuela antes de irte.

In summary, el beso is a versatile noun. It can be 'el beso de Judas' (the kiss of Judas, implying betrayal) or 'el beso de la muerte' (the kiss of death). It is a word that lives in the mouth of the speaker as much as the action lives on the lips of the giver. Understanding its usage is about understanding the boundaries of personal space and the rituals of kinship in the Hispanic world. Whether you are reading a poem by Neruda or texting a classmate, 'el beso' is an essential tool in your vocabulary toolkit, representing far more than just a physical touch.

Using el beso correctly requires understanding its role as a masculine noun and the verbs that typically accompany it. The most common verb paired with 'beso' is dar (to give). In Spanish, you don't 'make' a kiss; you 'give' a kiss (dar un beso). If you are receiving one, you use recibir, though it's more common to say 'me dio un beso' (he/she gave me a kiss). When discussing multiple kisses, the plural los besos is used, and the rules of gender agreement always apply: 'muchos besos,' 'dos besos,' 'tus besos.'

Common Verb Pairings: Dar un beso (to give a kiss), Mandar un beso (to send a kiss), Robar un beso (to steal a kiss), Soplar un beso (to blow a kiss).

Él intentó robarle un beso bajo la luna.

Translation: He tried to steal a kiss from her under the moon.

Prepositions are vital when specifying where the kiss lands. 'En' is the standard preposition: 'beso en la mejilla' (cheek), 'beso en la boca' (mouth), 'beso en la mano' (hand). In formal or historical contexts, you might encounter 'el beso de la paz' during religious ceremonies. Note that while 'beso' is the noun, the verb is 'besar.' Beginners often confuse the two. You say 'Quiero un beso' (I want a kiss) but 'Quiero besarte' (I want to kiss you). The noun is frequently used in the plural at the end of correspondence: 'Besos para todos' (Kisses for everyone).

Quantifying the Noun: Use 'un' for one, 'unos' for some, and 'el' for the specific kiss you are referring to.

El primer beso es siempre el más difícil de olvidar.

In more advanced usage, 'el beso' can be modified by adjectives to convey style or intent: 'un beso apasionado' (a passionate kiss), 'un beso tierno' (a tender kiss), 'un beso fugaz' (a fleeting kiss). In clinical or extremely formal Spanish, you might hear 'ósculo,' but 'beso' remains the universal term across all registers. Whether you're describing a scene in a movie or telling a story about a greeting gone wrong, focusing on the verb-noun agreement will make your Spanish sound natural and fluid.

You will hear el beso everywhere in the Spanish-speaking world, but the context dictates its frequency. In pop music (Latin pop, Reggaeton, Bachata), 'beso' is perhaps one of the top five most common nouns. Lyrics often revolve around 'el último beso' (the last kiss) or 'un beso tuyo' (a kiss of yours). In television, specifically 'telenovelas,' the climax of an episode often centers on a 'beso' between the protagonists. It is a word associated with high emotion and dramatic resolution.

In Music: Artists like Prince Royce, Enrique Iglesias, and Rosalía frequently use 'beso' to anchor their romantic hooks.

La canción habla de un beso robado en la playa.

Translation: The song talks about a stolen kiss on the beach.

In daily life, you'll hear it in social instructions. Parents tell their children, 'Dale un beso a la tía' (Give your aunt a kiss). At weddings, the crowd will often chant '¡Que se besen!' (Let them kiss!), but the noun 'beso' is used in the commentary: '¡Qué beso más bonito!' (What a beautiful kiss!). In literature, from the romanticism of Bécquer to the magical realism of García Márquez, 'el beso' is used as a powerful literary device to signify union, betrayal, or life-changing moments. Even in sports, a 'beso al escudo' (kissing the badge) is a common sight when a soccer player scores a goal and wants to show loyalty to their team.

In Cinema: The 'beso de película' refers to a perfect, cinematic kiss that everyone dreams of.

Fue un beso de película, bajo la lluvia intensa.

Finally, listen for it in idioms and slang. While 'beso' itself isn't slang, phrases like 'dar el beso de gracia' (to give the finishing blow) show how the word has moved into metaphor. In Spain, you might hear 'un beso de tornillo' for a French kiss, while in other places, 'un piquito' is a quick peck. The word is ubiquitous, vibrating through the air in every plaza, cafe, and family gathering across the Spanish-speaking world.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make with el beso is confusing the noun with the verb besar. In English, 'kiss' can be both a noun and a verb without changing its form ('I kiss you' vs 'a kiss'). In Spanish, they are distinct. Another mistake is gender assignment. Because 'beso' ends in 'o,' it is masculine, but learners sometimes mistakenly use 'la' if they associate the act with femininity or soft emotions. Always remember: el beso, un beso.

Noun vs. Verb: Incorrect: 'Yo beso un beso.' (Grammatically weird). Correct: 'Yo doy un beso' or 'Yo beso a alguien.'

Error común: La beso fue romántico. Correcto: El beso fue romántico.

Another mistake involves the 'dos besos' greeting. English speakers often try to physically kiss the cheek. In reality, it is usually a 'cheek-to-cheek' touch where you kiss the air. Pressing your lips firmly against a stranger's cheek can be seen as an 'exceso de confianza' (overstepping). Furthermore, learners often forget the 'personal a' when using the verb form but correctly use the noun. For example, 'Doy un beso a María' is correct, but 'Beso María' is wrong (it should be 'Beso a María'). Distinguishing between the noun 'beso' and the action 'besar' is key to grammatical accuracy.

Pluralization: Don't forget the 's'. 'Dos beso' is a common slip-up for beginners. It must be 'dos besos.'

Me dio muchos besos al despedirse.

Lastly, be careful with the register. While 'un beso' is fine for friends, in a strictly professional business meeting in a conservative environment, a handshake is safer. Using 'besos' as a sign-off in a formal business email to a CEO you've never met would be a major 'faux pas.' Contextual awareness is just as important as grammatical correctness when using this word.

While el beso is the standard term, Spanish offers a rich variety of synonyms and related words that convey different levels of intensity, formality, and regional flavor. Understanding these alternatives will help you sound more like a native speaker and allow you to navigate different social situations with ease. For example, the word ósculo is a highly formal, almost archaic synonym for kiss, often found in poetry or legalistic religious texts. You would never use it in a bar, but you might see it in a 19th-century novel.

Beso vs. Piquito: A 'beso' is general; a 'piquito' is a quick peck, usually on the lips, common among couples in public.
Beso vs. Morreo: In Spain, 'morreo' is a slang term for a long, passionate make-out session. It is very informal.

No fue un gran beso, solo un piquito rápido.

The diminutive besito is perhaps the most frequent alternative. It softens the word and adds a layer of affection or playfulness. In some regions, you might hear besuqueo, which refers to a lot of kissing or 'besotting,' often used somewhat pejoratively to describe a couple that won't stop kissing in public. Another related term is arrumaco, which refers to a caress or a demonstration of affection that might include kisses. In terms of actions, dar un muerdismo (a little bite) is sometimes associated with romantic kissing, though it's much more specific.

Beso vs. Abrazo: English speakers often confuse 'beso' (kiss) with 'abrazo' (hug). In Spanish greetings, the 'beso' is often accompanied by a light 'abrazo'.

Le dio un ósculo en la frente con gran respeto.

When choosing an alternative, consider your relationship with the person. 'Besitos' is for family and close friends. 'Beso' is for everyone else. 'Ósculo' is for your poetry slam. By diversifying your vocabulary, you can describe the nuances of human connection with much greater precision, moving beyond the basic 'beso' to capture the exact flavor of the moment.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

In ancient Rome, there were three types of kisses: 'basium' (between friends), 'osculum' (formal/religious), and 'suavium' (erotic). Spanish 'beso' comes from the friendly one!

Guide de prononciation

UK /el ˈbeso/

US /ɛl ˈbeɪsoʊ/

The stress is on the first syllable of 'beso' (BE-so).

Rime avec

queso peso preso tieso progreso suceso proceso tieso

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing the 'o' like the 'oo' in 'boot'.
Making the 'e' sound like 'ee' (beeso).
Adding an English 'r' sound at the end.
Aspirating the 'b' too much; it should be softer.
Dragging the final 'o' into a diphthong.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 1/5

Very easy to recognize in text.

Écriture 2/5

Simple spelling, but don't confuse with the verb.

Expression orale 2/5

Easy pronunciation but cultural timing is tricky.

Écoute 1/5

Very distinct sound in conversation.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

la boca la cara dar querer amar

Apprends ensuite

el abrazo el cariño saludar despedirse la mejilla

Avancé

el ósculo la caricia el afecto la ternura el idilio

Grammaire à connaître

Noun-Adjective Agreement

El beso romántico (not romántica).

Indirect Object Pronouns with 'Dar'

Le dio un beso (He gave her a kiss).

Personal 'a' with the verb 'Besar'

Beso a mi madre.

Pluralization of nouns ending in vowels

Beso -> Besos.

Diminutives with -ito

Beso -> Besito.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

Exemples par niveau

Dame un beso, por favor.

Give me a kiss, please.

Uses the imperative 'dame' (give me).

Hola, ¿dos besos?

Hello, two kisses?

Common informal greeting in Spain.

El beso es para ti.

The kiss is for you.

Basic 'ser' + 'para' construction.

Un beso de mi madre.

A kiss from my mother.

Use of 'de' to show origin.

Muchos besos, abuela.

Many kisses, grandma.

Plural form 'besos' with 'muchos'.

Adiós, un beso.

Goodbye, a kiss.

Used as a closing phrase.

Tengo un beso para ella.

I have a kiss for her.

Verb 'tener' with the noun.

Es un beso pequeño.

It is a small kiss.

Adjective agreement (masculine).

Ella me dio un beso en la mejilla.

She gave me a kiss on the cheek.

Preterite tense 'dio'.

Prefiero un besito antes de dormir.

I prefer a little kiss before sleeping.

Diminutive 'besito'.

No me gusta el beso francés.

I don't like the French kiss.

Definite article 'el'.

Le mandé un beso por teléfono.

I sent him/her a kiss over the phone.

Indirect object pronoun 'le'.

El beso fue muy corto.

The kiss was very short.

Adjective 'corto' modifying 'beso'.

Siempre nos damos un beso al vernos.

We always give each other a kiss when we see each other.

Reflexive 'nos damos'.

Ese beso cambió todo.

That kiss changed everything.

Demonstrative adjective 'ese'.

Quiero darte un beso de buenas noches.

I want to give you a goodnight kiss.

Infinitive 'darte' (dar + te).

Él le robó un beso en medio del parque.

He stole a kiss from her in the middle of the park.

Idiom 'robar un beso'.

Fue un beso lleno de ternura y amor.

It was a kiss full of tenderness and love.

Past participle 'lleno' as adjective.

Sopló un beso hacia la cámara.

She blew a kiss towards the camera.

Verb 'soplar' (to blow).

No esperaba recibir un beso tan apasionado.

I didn't expect to receive such a passionate kiss.

Adverb 'tan' + adjective.

El beso de despedida fue muy triste.

The farewell kiss was very sad.

Noun phrase 'beso de despedida'.

Cada beso suyo era como un sueño.

Every kiss of hers/his was like a dream.

Possessive adjective 'suyo'.

Me pidió un beso antes de marcharse.

He/she asked me for a kiss before leaving.

Verb 'pedir' (to ask for).

El actor se negó a dar el beso en la escena.

The actor refused to give the kiss in the scene.

Reflexive 'se negó'.

Aquel beso de Judas nos dolió a todos.

That kiss of Judas (betrayal) hurt us all.

Idiom referring to betrayal.

El primer beso suele ser el más recordado.

The first kiss is usually the most remembered.

Verb 'soler' (to be accustomed to).

Se despidieron con un beso fugaz en la mejilla.

They said goodbye with a fleeting kiss on the cheek.

Adjective 'fugaz' (fleeting).

No fue más que un beso sin importancia.

It was nothing more than an unimportant kiss.

Negative construction 'no fue más que'.

Le dio un beso de la paz durante la misa.

He gave him/her a kiss of peace during the mass.

Religious context.

Su beso sabía a fresas y verano.

Her/his kiss tasted like strawberries and summer.

Verb 'saber a' (to taste like).

Evitó el beso girando la cara rápidamente.

He/she avoided the kiss by turning their face quickly.

Gerund 'girando' expressing method.

El beso simboliza la unión de dos almas.

The kiss symbolizes the union of two souls.

Transitive verb 'simboliza'.

El ósculo real fue presenciado por miles.

The royal kiss was witnessed by thousands.

Use of formal synonym 'ósculo'.

Aquel beso furtivo selló su destino trágico.

That furtive kiss sealed their tragic fate.

Adjective 'furtivo' (stealthy).

La literatura romántica abusa del beso como clímax.

Romantic literature overuses the kiss as a climax.

Verb 'abusar de' (to overuse).

Fue un beso gélido, carente de cualquier emoción.

It was an icy kiss, devoid of any emotion.

Adjective 'gélido' (icy).

El beso de la muerte es una metáfora recurrente.

The kiss of death is a recurring metaphor.

Metaphorical usage.

Apenas rozó sus labios en un beso casi imperceptible.

He/she barely brushed their lips in an almost imperceptible kiss.

Adverb 'apenas' (barely).

Intercambiaron un beso de complicidad tras el robo.

They exchanged a kiss of complicity after the robbery.

Noun 'complicidad'.

El beso era la única forma de callar sus dudas.

The kiss was the only way to silence their doubts.

Infinitive 'callar' as object.

El beso, en su dimensión semiótica, trasciende el tacto.

The kiss, in its semiotic dimension, transcends touch.

Academic register.

Bécquer describe el beso como un suspiro de luz.

Bécquer describes the kiss as a sigh of light.

Literary reference.

Aquel beso espurio no era sino una treta política.

That spurious kiss was nothing but a political ruse.

Advanced vocabulary 'espurio', 'treta'.

La impronta de su beso permaneció en su memoria.

The imprint of her/his kiss remained in his/her memory.

High-level noun 'impronta'.

Fue un beso protocolario, exento de espontaneidad.

It was a protocol-driven kiss, exempt from spontaneity.

Adjective 'protocolario'.

El beso de la paz se ha tornado en un gesto vacuo.

The kiss of peace has turned into a hollow gesture.

Verb 'tornarse' (to become/turn).

Reivindicó su amor con un beso ante la multitud.

He/she reclaimed their love with a kiss before the crowd.

Verb 'reivindicar'.

Un beso puede ser la génesis de una guerra o de una paz.

A kiss can be the genesis of a war or a peace.

Philosophical statement.

Synonymes

ósculo piquito besito morreo besuqueo pico chape apretón

Antonymes

bofetada insulto desprecio rechazo

Collocations courantes

dar un beso

recibir un beso

beso en la mejilla

beso en los labios

mandar un beso

robar un beso

primer beso

beso de despedida

soplar un beso

beso apasionado

Phrases Courantes

Un beso y un abrazo

— A common way to say goodbye to friends.

Un beso y un abrazo para todos.

Llenar de besos

— To cover someone in kisses.

Llenó de besos a su bebé.

Comer a besos

— To kiss someone excessively out of love.

¡Te voy a comer a besos!

Beso de tornillo

— A French kiss (Spain).

Se dieron un beso de tornillo.

Negar un beso

— To refuse a kiss.

Ella le negó el beso.

Un beso volado

— A blown kiss (Latin America).

Me lanzó un beso volado.

Beso de lengua

— A French kiss (General).

Fue su primer beso de lengua.

Dos besos

— The standard greeting in Spain.

Aquí nos damos dos besos.

Beso de Judas

— A betrayal.

Ese favor fue un beso de Judas.

Beso en la frente

— A sign of respect or platonic love.

Le dio un beso en la frente.

Souvent confondu avec

el beso vs vaso

Vaso means glass. Don't ask for a 'beso de agua'!

el beso vs peso

Peso means weight or currency. One letter change matters.

el beso vs queso

Cheese. They rhyme, but don't eat a beso.

Expressions idiomatiques

"El beso de Judas"

— An act of betrayal disguised as a gesture of friendship.

Su ayuda fue el beso de Judas.

literary

"El beso de la muerte"

— Something that appears helpful but leads to ruin.

Ese contrato fue el beso de la muerte.

metaphorical

"Dar el beso de gracia"

— To deliver the final blow or finish something off.

El tercer gol fue el beso de gracia.

colloquial

"Quedarse para vestir santos y no recibir besos"

— To remain unmarried (old-fashioned).

Se quedó para vestir santos.

archaic

"Beso de paz"

— A sign of reconciliation.

Se dieron el beso de paz.

religious

"No saber ni dar un beso"

— To be very inexperienced or clumsy.

Ese chico no sabe ni dar un beso.

informal

"Vivir de besos"

— To live on love alone (impractical).

No se puede vivir de besos y aire.

colloquial

"Beso de película"

— A perfect, romantic kiss.

Fue un beso de película.

informal

"A beso limpio"

— Using only kisses (fighting with love).

Lo arreglaron a beso limpio.

playful

"Beso de esquimal"

— Rubbing noses together.

Hicieron un beso de esquimal.

child-friendly

Facile à confondre

el beso vs besar

Verb vs Noun.

Besar is the action (to kiss), beso is the thing (a kiss).

Quiero besarte (verb) y darte un beso (noun).

el beso vs besito

Diminutive usage.

Besito is more casual and affectionate than the neutral beso.

Un besito para el niño.

el beso vs abrazo

Social context.

Abrazo is a hug. In English, we hug more; in Spanish, we kiss more.

Le dio un abrazo y luego un beso.

el beso vs ósculo

High register.

Ósculo is academic/poetic; beso is for everyone.

El ósculo de la muerte.

el beso vs pico

Regional slang.

Pico can mean a beak or a quick kiss depending on the country.

Dame un pico.

Structures de phrases

Dame un [noun]

Dame un beso.

Un beso en la [body part]

Un beso en la mejilla.

Verbo + un beso

Ella me robó un beso.

El beso de [noun]

El beso de despedida.

Adjetivo + beso

Un furtivo beso.

Sujeto + ser + la génesis de + beso

Aquella mirada fue la génesis de un beso.

[Number] besos

Dos besos.

Mandar + un beso

Te mando un beso.

Famille de mots

Noms

besuqueo

besucón

besucona

Verbes

besar

besuquear

besarse

Adjectifs

besable

Apparenté

labios

mejilla

boca

abrazo

cariño

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour voir tous les exemples

Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Extremely high in daily conversation and media.

Erreurs courantes

La beso → El beso
Beso is a masculine noun.
Yo beso un beso → Yo doy un beso
We 'give' kisses in Spanish, we don't 'kiss' them.
Dos beso → Dos besos
Nouns must be pluralized when referring to more than one.
Hacer un beso → Dar un beso
The verb 'hacer' (to make) is not used with 'beso'.
Beso María → Beso a María
When the object is a person, use the 'personal a' with the verb.

Astuces

The Right Cheek First

In Spain, when giving two kisses, always lean to your right first. This avoids head-on collisions!

Dar vs Besar

Remember to use 'dar' with the noun: 'dar un beso'. Use 'besar' for the action: 'quiero besar a María'.

Don't be shy

Spanish speakers are physically affectionate. If someone leans in for a beso, go with it!

Besito for warmth

Use 'besito' when talking to pets, children, or your partner to sound more endearing.

Digital Besos

Ending a WhatsApp message with 'Besos' is very common and doesn't always imply romance.

Pure Vowels

Keep the 'e' in 'beso' like the 'e' in 'egg'. Don't make it 'bay-so'.

Beso de película

Use this phrase to describe a very romantic or perfect moment.

Gender Trap

Even if a kiss is soft and sweet, it is always 'EL beso', never 'la beso'.

Song Lyrics

Listen to 'Bésame Mucho' to hear how the word is used in a classic romantic context.

Latin Roots

Knowing it comes from 'basium' helps you connect it to English words like 'basial'.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of a 'beso' as the 'best' way to say hello. B-E-S-O.

Association visuelle

Imagine a giant piece of 'queso' (cheese) getting a 'beso' (kiss). They rhyme!

Word Web

besar besito labios mejilla amor saludo boca cariño

Défi

Try to use 'un beso' in three different contexts today: a greeting, a sign-off in a text, and describing a movie scene.

Origine du mot

Derived from the Latin 'basium', which also meant kiss. It replaced the more formal Latin 'osculum'.

Sens originel : A kiss, specifically one of affection or greeting.

Romance (Indo-European).

Contexte culturel

Always follow the lead of the native speaker to avoid awkwardness. In professional settings, stick to handshakes unless others initiate a kiss.

English speakers tend to have a larger personal bubble. In Spanish, 'el beso' breaks that bubble immediately.

Bésame Mucho (Song by Consuelo Velázquez) El beso (Famous painting by Gustav Klimt, known as 'El beso' in Spanish) Poema 20 by Pablo Neruda

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Greetings

¿Dos besos?
Hola, un beso.
Mucho gusto, un beso.
Encantado, un beso.

Romantic

Te quiero dar un beso.
Fue un beso increíble.
¿Me das un beso?
Un beso apasionado.

Family

Beso para mamá.
Dame un besito.
Un beso de buenas noches.
Besos para los niños.

Digital/Text

Besos!
Un beso grande.
Tirando besos.
Besitos.

Literature

El beso de la amada.
Un ósculo eterno.
El beso furtivo.
Bajo el beso de la luna.

Amorces de conversation

"¿Recuerdas tu primer beso?"

"¿Es común darse dos besos en tu país?"

"¿Qué opinas del beso como saludo formal?"

"¿Cuál es tu escena de beso favorita en el cine?"

"¿Prefieres un beso en la mejilla o un abrazo?"

Sujets d'écriture

Describe un beso que nunca olvidarás y por qué fue especial.

Escribe sobre las diferencias culturales que has notado respecto al beso.

¿Cómo te sientes cuando alguien que no conoces te da un beso como saludo?

Imagina un mundo donde los besos fueran ilegales. ¿Cómo cambiaría la sociedad?

Escribe una carta a un amigo y termina usando diferentes formas de la palabra beso.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

Es masculino: el beso, un beso, los besos.

Se dice 'beso con lengua' o 'beso de tornillo' (en España).

En España, es el saludo estándar entre mujeres y entre hombres y mujeres.

Solo si tienes mucha confianza con la persona. Si no, usa 'Saludos'.

Es un beso que se da de sorpresa, sin pedir permiso.

El diminutivo más común es 'besito'.

No, se dice 'dar un beso'.

Significa una traición por parte de alguien que parece un amigo.

Se escribe 'besos'.

Generalmente no, a menos que sean familia cercana o amigos muy íntimos.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour les astuces et notes