French Words for Kisses
French has a number of different words for « kiss, » which, though not surprising for such a romantic language, can be confusing for French learners. The most common terms are kiss and kiss, and while they are both informal with similar meanings and uses, they’re not exactly the same.
A kiss is a kiss on the cheek, a gesture of friendship exchanged while saying hello and good-bye. It’s not romantic, so it can be used between friends and acquaintances of any gender combination, particularly two women and a woman and man. Two men are likely to say / write it only if they are family or very close friends. Kiss is most commonly found in the expression kiss.
In the plural, kisses is used when saying good-bye (eg, Goodbye and kisses to all) and at the end of a personal letter: Kisses, Big kisses, Sunny kisses (from a friend in a sunny place), etc.
Again, kisses is platonic. It does not mean that the letter writer is trying to take your relationship to the next level; it’s basically shorthand for saying good-bye with the classic French cheek / air kiss: I kiss you.
Familiar spelling variation: biz
A kiss is a warmer, more playful, and more familiar version of kiss. It can refer to a kiss on the cheek or on the lips, so may be used when talking to lovers and platonic friends. Kisses can say good-bye to a good friend (See you tomorrow! Kisses to all the family) as well at the end of a letter: Kisses, lots of love, Kisses to the children, etc. When saying good-bye on the phone, friends sometimes repeat it several times: Kisses, kisses, kisses! Kisses, chao, kisses!
Familiar abbreviation: bx
More French Kisses
Nouns
- a kiss – kiss
- a kiss (informal) – kiss, peck
- one skate (informal) – French kiss, kiss with tongues
- a shovel (informal) – French kiss
- a smack – noisy kiss
Verbs
- smooch (informal) – to kiss, smooch
- kiss – to kiss
- give a kiss – to kiss
- to kiss – to kiss
- send a kiss – to blow a kiss
- send a smack – to give a noisy kiss
- to kiss – to kiss (usually on the cheek)
- roll a skate – to French kiss
- snog – to French kiss
- suck pear / apple – to kiss passionately, neck
Warning: As a noun it’s perfectly acceptable, and it’s ok to say kiss the hand, but otherwise, do not use kiss as a verb! Though it originally meant « to kiss, » it is now an informal way to say « to have sex. »
Other Kisses
- word of mouth – kiss of life
- the fatal blow – kiss of death
- divulge alcove secrets – to kiss and tell
- to lick (familiar) – to kiss up
- make peace – to kiss and make up
- make a cross on it (informal) – to kiss something good-bye
- tackle – to give a boyfriend / girlfriend the kiss-off
- tell your alcove secrets – to kiss and tell
- fire – to give an employee the kiss-off
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