Inklingo
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A colorful storybook illustration showing two round, stylized characters leaning close together, sharing a gentle kiss.

beso

BEH-soh

nounmA1
kiss?physical expression of affection or greeting
Also:peck?a quick, light kiss

📝 In Action

El niño le dio un beso de buenas noches a su peluche.

A1

The boy gave his teddy bear a goodnight kiss.

¿Fue un beso en la mejilla o un beso en los labios?

A2

Was it a kiss on the cheek or a kiss on the lips?

Terminó la carta con un montón de besos para toda la familia.

B1

She finished the letter with a lot of kisses (hugs and kisses) for the whole family.

Word Connections

Common Collocations

  • dar un beso – to give a kiss
  • beso en la mejilla – kiss on the cheek
  • mandar un beso – to blow a kiss / send a kiss

Idioms & Expressions

  • Besos y abrazos – Hugs and kisses (often used as a closing in letters or texts)

💡 Grammar Points

Using 'Dar'

To express the action of kissing, Spanish almost always uses the verb 'dar' (to give): 'dar un beso' (to give a kiss) is the natural way to say 'to kiss someone' in this noun form.

Masculine Gender

Remember that 'beso' is always masculine, so you must use 'el beso' (the kiss) or 'un beso' (a kiss).

❌ Common Pitfalls

The action verb

Mistake: "Hacer un beso."

Correction: Dar un beso. We don't 'make a kiss,' we 'give a kiss' in Spanish. To say 'I kissed my friend,' use the verb 'besar': 'Besé a mi amigo.'

⭐ Usage Tips

Farewell Sign-off

It is very common, especially among friends and family, to sign off texts or emails simply with 'Besos' or 'Un beso fuerte,' similar to saying 'Love' or 'Hugs and Kisses' in English.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: beso

Question 1 of 2

Which Spanish verb should you use if you want to say you gave someone a kiss?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

besar(to kiss) - verb
besucón/a(a person who kisses a lot (often excessively)) - adjective/noun

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'beso' and 'besar'?

'Beso' is the noun, meaning 'the kiss' (the thing itself). 'Besar' is the verb, meaning 'to kiss' (the action you perform). Example: 'Quiero un beso' (I want a kiss) vs. 'Quiero besarla' (I want to kiss her).

Is 'beso' used only romantically?

Absolutely not. In Spanish-speaking cultures, 'un beso' or 'dos besos' (one or two cheek kisses) are fundamental non-romantic ways to greet friends, family, and acquaintances.