Kiss in different languages

Kiss in Different Languages

Discover 'Kiss' in 134 Languages: Dive into Translations, Hear Pronunciations, and Uncover Cultural Insights.

Updated on March 6, 2024

A kiss is more than just a meeting of lips – it’s a universal language that transcends borders and cultures. From a tender peck on the cheek to a passionate embrace, a kiss can convey a multitude of emotions and meanings. It’s no wonder then that the word ‘kiss’ holds such significance and cultural importance around the world.

Throughout history, the kiss has been depicted in art, literature, and music as a symbol of love, devotion, and even betrayal. In many cultures, a kiss is a sacred act that seals deals, binds families, and welcomes new beginnings. And in times of war and strife, a kiss can serve as a powerful reminder of our shared humanity.

For those interested in language and culture, learning the translation of ‘kiss’ in different languages can be a fun and fascinating way to explore the world. For example, in Spanish, the word for kiss is ‘beso’, while in French, it’s ‘baiser’. In German, it’s ‘Kuss’, and in Japanese, it’s ‘kisu’.

So whether you’re traveling to a foreign country or simply expanding your cultural horizons, learning the translation of ‘kiss’ in different languages is a small gesture that can have a big impact.

Kiss

Kiss in Sub-Saharan African Languages

Afrikaanssoen
The Afrikaan word "soen" is derived from the Dutch word "zoen", which also means "kiss".
Amharicመሳም
"መሳም" can also refer to a type of small, round bread.
Hausasumbace
The word 'sumbace' also means 'honey' in Hausa.
Igboisusu onu
The Igbo verb 'isusu onu' can also refer to the act of 'tasting food'
Malagasyoroka
Nyanja (Chichewa)kupsompsona
Shonakutsvoda
The Shona word 'kutsvoda' also means 'to make peace' and 'to reconcile'.
Somalidhunkasho
Dhunkasho can also refer to a type of traditional Somali dance.
Sesothoatla
The word "atla" can also mean "to smack" or "to strike" in Sesotho.
Swahilibusu
The word "busu" in Swahili has an alternate meaning of "a small amount of water that has been left in a cup".
Xhosaukwanga
Yorubafẹnuko
Zuluukuqabula
The verb ukuqabula, meaning "to kiss" in Zulu, is derived from the root -qabu "to stick".
Bambaraka bizu kɛ
Eweɖuɖɔ nu
Kinyarwandagusomana
Lingalabizu
Lugandaokunyweegera
Sepediatla
Twi (Akan)anofeɛ

Kiss in North African & Middle Eastern Languages

Arabicقبلة
The word "قبلة" in Arabic can also refer to the direction of prayer towards Mecca, the holiest city in Islam.
Hebrewנְשִׁיקָה
Pashtoښکلول
The Pashto word "ښکلول" also means "to be beautiful" and is related to the word "ښکلا" (beauty).
Arabicقبلة
The word "قبلة" in Arabic can also refer to the direction of prayer towards Mecca, the holiest city in Islam.

Kiss in Western European Languages

Albanianputhje
Basquemusu
Catalanpetó
Croatianpoljubac
Poljubac is also a Croatian dance similar to kolo, but the dancers hold hands in a circle while moving
Danishkys
Dutchkus
The Dutch word "kus" also means "chat" or "gossip", possibly derived from the sound of a gentle kiss.
Englishkiss
Frenchbaiser
Baiser derives from the Old French word "beiser," and can also mean "to hunt" or "to seek" in other contexts.
Frisiantút
Galicianbico
Galician "bico" also means 'beak', 'peak of a mountain', and 'sprout'
Germankuss
The word "Kuss" may also refer to a type of pastry or a musical interlude.
Icelandickoss
In Icelandic, "koss" can also refer to a type of candy or a small coin.
Irishpóg
Italianbacio
The Italian word "bacio" not only means "kiss," but also an ancient coin or a type of traditional bread.
Luxembourgishkuss
The word "Kuss" can also refer to a small sip of alcoholic beverage.
Maltesebewsa
The word 'bewsa' (kiss) in Maltese derives from the Arabic word 'būs', meaning 'kiss', 'smooch', or 'caress'.
Norwegiankysse
The word "kysse" in Norwegian is derived from the Old Norse word "kyssa," which also meant "to greet" or "to embrace."
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil)beijo
Scots Gaelicpòg
In Gaelic, the word "pòg" can also refer to the act of sipping or tasting something.
Spanishbeso
The word "Beso" in Spanish has Arabic influences and can also mean "favor" or "mercy".
Swedishpuss
Welshcusan
"Cusan" also means "to love".

Kiss in Eastern European Languages

Belarusianпацалунак
The word "пацалунак" (kiss) in Belarusian is derived from the word "цалаваць" (to kiss), which in turn comes from the Proto-Slavic word *cělovati.
Bosnianpoljubac
The etymology of the Bosnian word "poljubac" ("kiss") is obscure, with various theories linking it to Proto-Slavic, Proto-Indo-European, and even Arabic roots.
Bulgarianцелувка
The word "целувка" in Bulgarian is derived from the Proto-Slavic word "cělovati", which also means "to honor" or "to worship".
Czechpusa
The Czech word "pusa" can also refer to a bird's nest or a hollow tree trunk.
Estoniansuudlus
The word "suudlus" is derived from the word "suu" (mouth), and can also refer to the act of drinking or sipping.
Finnishsuudella
Hungariancsók
The Hungarian word "csók" is ultimately derived from the Proto-Slavic word *cělovati, meaning "to kiss" or "to greet with a kiss".
Latvianskūpsts
The Latvian word "skūpsts" can also refer to a type of small fish or a type of cake.
Lithuanianbučinys
The word "bučinys" in Lithuanian is derived from the Proto-Baltic root *būč-, meaning "to strike", and is related to the words "būti" (to be) and "būdas" (nature).
Macedonianбакнеж
Polishpocałunek
The word "pocałunek" can also refer to a type of small fish from the Cyprinidae family known as the bleak in English.
Romanianpup
Russianпоцелуй
"Поцелуй" — это не только обмен слюной, а еще и поцелуй-приветствие, поцелуй-благодарность и поцелуй-прощание.
Serbianпољубац
The word "пољубац" is derived from the Proto-Slavic word *polьubь, which means "to love" or "to kiss".
Slovakbozk
Slovenianpoljub
The word "poljub" in the Slovenian language also means a "butterfly" in some dialects, which is most likely derived from its light and airy movement.
Ukrainianпоцілунок
In Ukrainian, "поцілунок" can also refer to a small piece of paper used to transfer fire from one candle to another.

Kiss in South Asian Languages

Bengaliচুম্বন
Gujaratiચુંબન
Hindiचुम्मा
"Chumma" in Hindi is likely derived from the Sanskrit word "chumbati" which also means "kiss."
Kannadaಮುತ್ತು
The word "ಮುತ್ತು" also has the alternate meaning of "pearl" derived from the Sanskrit word "मुक्ता".
Malayalamചുംബനം
The word 'ചുംബനം' (chumbanam) in Malayalam shares its origin with the Sanskrit 'चुम्बन' (chumbana), meaning 'to kiss,' and also refers to a type of flower traditionally used in garland-making.
Marathiचुंबन
The word "चुंबन" (chumban) in Marathi is derived from Sanskrit and literally means "to sip or drink".
Nepaliचुम्बन
Punjabiਚੁੰਮਣਾ
Sinhala (Sinhalese)හාදුවක්
Tamilமுத்தம்
The Tamil word "முத்தம்" can also refer to a small bell or a bead string for a necklace
Teluguముద్దు
Telugu's 'ముద్దు' has an alternate meaning 'love' and is derived from Proto-Dravidian *muttu 'pearl', 'precious' as in Tamil 'muttu'.
Urduبوسہ
Urdu word "بوسہ" is ultimately derived from the Sanskrit term "कुसुम्भ" which means "saffron".

Kiss in East Asian Languages

Chinese (Simplified)吻
Chinese (Traditional)吻
Japanese接吻
Korean키스
The word "키스" is also used as a verb meaning "to click" or "to tap" in Korean.
Mongolianүнсэх
Myanmar (Burmese)နမ်း

Kiss in South East Asian Languages

Indonesianciuman
The origin of the Indonesian word "ciuman" is still debated; some believe it came from the Malay "kecup"," while others argue it has Javanese roots.
Javanesengambung
"Ngambung" is also used to describe how animals eat food with their mouths.
Khmerថើប
Laoຈູບ
Malaycium
The word "cium" in Malay may also mean "to smell" or "to sniff", and is derived from the Proto-Austronesian word *cium, meaning "to sniff".
Thaiจูบ
Vietnamesehôn
The word "hôn" can also mean "to breathe"}
Filipino (Tagalog)halikan

Kiss in Central Asian Languages

Azerbaijaniöpmək
Kazakhсүйіс
Etymology: from the verb “сүй” (to love, to admire)
Kyrgyzөбүү
The Kyrgyz word "өбүү" can also refer to the act of smelling something.
Tajikбӯсидан
The word "бӯсидан" also means "to smell" in Tajik.
Turkmenöp
Uzbeko'pish
The word "o'pish" in Uzbek also means "to smack" or "to slap".
Uyghurسۆيۈش

Kiss in Pacific Languages

Hawaiianhoni
While 'honi' means "kiss," it also shares a more literal meaning of "to touch or join noses" similar to the traditional Hawaiian greeting of honi ihu.
Maorikihi
The word "kihi" can also mean "to smell" or "to sniff" in Maori.
Samoansogi
The Samoan word "sogi" can also refer to a type of traditional Samoan dance.
Tagalog (Filipino)halikan
The Tagalog word "halikan" is derived from the root word "halik" meaning "breath".

Kiss in American Indigenous Languages

Aymarajamp'ata
Guaranihetũ

Kiss in International Languages

Esperantokiso
The word "kiso" in Esperanto is derived from the French word "baiser" and has the alternate meaning of "to kiss someone on the cheek as a greeting."
Latinbasium

Kiss in Others Languages

Greekφιλί
The word "φιλί" can also mean "a friendly embrace" or "a token of affection" in Greek.
Hmonghnia
"Hnia" also means to "bite" in Hmong, and is often said in a joking or teasing manner.
Kurdishmaç
Although 'maç' means 'kiss', it can also refer to a 'match' in the context of sports or competitions.
Turkishöpücük
"Öpücük" can also refer to a type of pastry in Turkish, similar to a French macaron.
Xhosaukwanga
Yiddishקושן
The Yiddish word 'קושן' stems from the old German word 'kussen' and means not only 'to kiss' but also 'to speak softly'.
Zuluukuqabula
The verb ukuqabula, meaning "to kiss" in Zulu, is derived from the root -qabu "to stick".
Assameseচুমা
Aymarajamp'ata
Bhojpuriचुम्मा
Dhivehiބޮސްދިނުން
Dogriपप्पी
Filipino (Tagalog)halikan
Guaranihetũ
Ilocanobisong
Kriokis
Kurdish (Sorani)ماچ
Maithiliचुम्मा
Meiteilon (Manipuri)ꯆꯨꯞꯄ
Mizofawp
Oromodhungoo
Odia (Oriya)ଚୁମ୍ବନ
Quechuamuchay
Sanskritचुंबन
Tatarүбү
Tigrinyaምስዓም
Tsongatsontswa

Click on a letter to browse words starting with that letter

Weekly TipWeekly Tip

Deepen your understanding of global issues by looking at keywords in multiple languages.

Immerse Yourself in the World of Languages

Type in any word and see it translated into 104 languages. Where possible, you'll also get to hear its pronunciation in languages your browser supports. Our goal? To make exploring languages straightforward and enjoyable.

How to use our multi-language translation tool

How to use our multi-language translation tool

Turn words into a kaleidoscope of languages in a few simple steps

  1. Start with a word

    Just type the word you're curious about into our search box.

  2. Auto-complete to the rescue

    Let our auto-complete nudge you in the right direction to quickly find your word.

  3. See and hear translations

    With a click, see translations in 104 languages and hear pronunciations where your browser supports audio.

  4. Grab the translations

    Need the translations for later? Download all the translations in a neat JSON file for your project or study.

Explore More Apps You'll Love

Discover the joy of effortless word finding with our No Registration Word Finder. Jump straight into enhancing your word game strategies without any hindrance.

Enhance your narratives and descriptions with this user-friendly adjective finder. A handy tool for writers of all levels.

Bridge the gap between knowing and speaking a language fluently with multilingual pronunciation resources.

Features section image

Features overview

  • Instant translations with audio where available

    Type in your word and get translations in a flash. Where available, click to hear how it's pronounced in different languages, right from your browser.

  • Quick find with auto-complete

    Our smart auto-complete helps you quickly find your word, making your journey to translation smooth and hassle-free.

  • Translations in 104 Languages, no selection needed

    We've got you covered with automatic translations and audio in supported languages for every word, no need to pick and choose.

  • Downloadable translations in JSON

    Looking to work offline or integrate translations into your project? Download them in a handy JSON format.

  • All free, All for you

    Jump into the language pool without worrying about costs. Our platform is open to all language lovers and curious minds.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you provide translations and audio?

It's simple! Type in a word, and instantly see its translations. If your browser supports it, you'll also see a play button to hear pronunciations in various languages.

Can I download these translations?

Absolutely! You can download a JSON file with all the translations for any word, perfect for when you're offline or working on a project.

What if I can't find my word?

We're constantly growing our list of 3000 words. If you don't see yours, it might not be there yet, but we're always adding more!

Is there a fee to use your site?

Not at all! We're passionate about making language learning accessible to everyone, so our site is completely free to use.