besa
/BEH-sah/
kisses
A person expresses affection by giving a kiss.
besa(verb)
kisses
?when one person performs the action
,kiss
?telling a friend to do it (command)
you kiss
?speaking formally to 'usted'
📝 In Action
Él siempre besa a su madre antes de salir.
A1He always kisses his mother before leaving.
¡Besa a tu tía!
A1Kiss your aunt!
Usted me besa y me olvido de todo.
A2You kiss me and I forget everything.
💡 Grammar Points
One word, two jobs
'Besa' can be used to say what someone else is doing right now (He kisses) or to tell a friend to kiss someone (Kiss!).
The 'Personal A'
When you use 'besa' with a person or pet, you must put 'a' before them. Example: 'Besa a tu perro' (Kiss your dog).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Missing the 'a'
Mistake: "Él besa su hija."
Correction: Él besa a su hija. (In Spanish, we use 'a' when the action happens to a person.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal vs Informal
Use 'besa' as a command only with friends and family. If you're being formal (Usted), use 'bese' instead.
One thing lightly touches or grazes another.
besa(verb)
grazes
?when one thing lightly touches another
,brushes against
?a gentle contact
📝 In Action
La brisa besa el mar suavemente.
B2The breeze kisses the sea softly.
El vestido apenas besa el suelo.
B2The dress barely brushes the floor.
⭐ Usage Tips
Poetic Touch
You can use 'besa' to describe nature or objects touching in a way that feels romantic or gentle.
🔄 Conjugations
subjunctive
imperfect
present
indicative
preterite
imperfect
present
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: besa
Question 1 of 2
If you say 'Él besa a su gato,' what are you doing?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'besa' used for romantic kisses only?
No. In Spanish-speaking cultures, 'besa' is used for family affection, greetings on the cheek, and poetic descriptions of nature.
What is the difference between 'beso' and 'besa'?
'Beso' is the noun (a kiss), while 'besa' is the action (he/she kisses).