besar
“besar” means “to kiss” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
to kiss
Also: to peck, to smooch
📝 In Action
Siempre besamos a nuestros amigos cuando los vemos.
A1We always kiss our friends when we see them.
Ella besó a su bebé en la frente antes de dormir.
A2She kissed her baby on the forehead before sleeping.
¿Quién te besó anoche?
A2Who kissed you last night?
to graze
Also: to brush
📝 In Action
La bala solo logró besar su hombro.
B2The bullet only managed to graze his shoulder.
Las olas besaban suavemente la arena de la playa.
C1The waves gently kissed (brushed) the sand on the beach.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: besar
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'besar' in its less common, figurative sense?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word 'besar' comes directly from the Latin verb *basiare*, which means 'to kiss.' It has been a core part of the Spanish language since its earliest forms.
First recorded: 10th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'besar' always romantic?
No. While it can be romantic, 'besar' is very often used for friendly or familial greetings, especially giving a quick peck on the cheek (or two pecks, depending on the region).
If I want to say 'They kissed each other,' how do I use 'besar'?
You need the reflexive pronoun 'se' to show the action is reciprocal (done to each other): 'Ellos se besaron' (They kissed each other).