Meaning
To touch someone with your lips as a sign of affection.
Cultural Background
The 'dos besos' (two kisses) start on the right cheek (your right, their left). It is purely social and not romantic. It is very common for men to greet other men with a single kiss on the cheek, which is less common in other Spanish-speaking countries. Usually, one kiss is sufficient for greetings between women or between a man and a woman who are friends.
The Air Kiss
Often, you don't actually touch the skin with your lips; you just touch cheeks and make a kissing sound in the air.
Gender Matters
In most countries, men don't 'dar un beso' to other men unless they are family or very close friends (except in Argentina/Uruguay).
Meaning
To touch someone with your lips as a sign of affection.
The Air Kiss
Often, you don't actually touch the skin with your lips; you just touch cheeks and make a kissing sound in the air.
Gender Matters
In most countries, men don't 'dar un beso' to other men unless they are family or very close friends (except in Argentina/Uruguay).
The Diminutive
Use 'besito' to sound much more like a native speaker when talking to friends or children.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'dar'.
Yo le ___ un beso a mi abuela.
The subject is 'Yo', so the irregular first-person form 'doy' is required.
Which is the most natural way to greet a female friend in Spain?
Al ver a mi amiga...
In Spain, two kisses are the standard social greeting for women.
Match the phrase to the context.
Context: A mother to her toddler.
The diminutive 'besito' is very common and affectionate with children.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ¿Cómo saludas a tu tía? B: Siempre ___ un beso.
We use 'le' as the indirect object for 'her' (the aunt).
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
When to Dar un Beso
Family
- • Parents
- • Children
- • Grandparents
Friends
- • Female friends
- • Male-Female friends
Romance
- • Partners
- • Dates
Practice Bank
4 exercisesYo le ___ un beso a mi abuela.
The subject is 'Yo', so the irregular first-person form 'doy' is required.
Al ver a mi amiga...
In Spain, two kisses are the standard social greeting for women.
Context: A mother to her toddler.
The diminutive 'besito' is very common and affectionate with children.
A: ¿Cómo saludas a tu tía? B: Siempre ___ un beso.
We use 'le' as the indirect object for 'her' (the aunt).
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
6 questions'Dar un beso' is more common for the single act or greeting. 'Besar' is the general verb for the action of kissing.
In Spain, always start with the right cheek (your right).
Only if you have a very close, long-term relationship. Otherwise, stick to a handshake.
Usually only if they are family members (father/son, brothers). Otherwise, they hug or shake hands.
It means to betray someone while acting like a friend.
No, it's very common between female friends or romantic partners too.
Related Phrases
Dar un abrazo
similarTo give a hug
Comer a besos
builds onTo shower someone with kisses
Llenar de besos
similarTo cover someone in kisses
Mandar un beso
relatedTo blow/send a kiss
