besar
/beh-SAR/
to kiss
The primary meaning of besar is 'to kiss,' often used as a greeting or expression of affection.
besar(verb)
to kiss
?as a greeting or expression of affection
to peck
?a quick kiss on the cheek
,to smooch
?informal/romantic
📝 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?
💡 Grammar Points
Direct Object Pronouns
Since 'besar' is an action done directly to someone, you often use direct object pronouns: 'Lo besé' (I kissed him) or 'La besé' (I kissed her).
Reflexive/Reciprocal Use
To say two or more people kissed each other, use the reflexive form: 'Se besaron' (They kissed each other).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'Besar' and 'Abrazar'
Mistake: "Using 'besé a mi amigo' when you only hugged them."
Correction: Remember 'besar' is specifically the lip-to-skin touch (kiss). 'Abrazar' is to hug.
⭐ Usage Tips
Greeting Customs
In many Spanish-speaking cultures, it's customary to 'besar' (give a peck) on one or both cheeks when greeting people, even if you just met them.
Besar can also mean 'to graze,' referring to touching something lightly or brushing against it.
📝 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.
💡 Grammar Points
Figurative Use
This meaning extends the idea of a gentle 'kiss' to inanimate objects, suggesting a soft, momentary touch, often used in descriptive writing.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: besar
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'besar' in its less common, figurative sense?
📚 More Resources
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).