French Conversation · Level 45
75 words
French word
embrasser
Pronunciation
IPA/ɑ̃bʁase/
Meaning
- verbkiss
Example
J'embrasse ma mère.
I kiss my mother.
More examples
Il embrasse la main de sa grand-mère.
He kisses his grandmother's hand.
Core concept
A close physical or mental taking-in: lips meet a loved one, arms surround a person, or the mind accepts a proposal.
Common phrases
embrasser quelqu'un
kiss someone
s'embrasser sur la joue
kiss each other on the cheek
embrasser la main de quelqu'un
kiss someone's hand
Similar words
faire la bise: Greeting someone with light kisses on the cheeks.
faire un bisou: Showing affection with a short, gentle kiss on the lips.
s'embrasser: Mutually kissing on the lips.
Definition in French
Mettre ses lèvres sur la bouche ou la joue d'une personne pour manifester de l'affection ; par extension, serrer quelqu'un dans ses bras ou, au sens figuré, accepter une idée ou une proposition.
Word origin
The verb developed from Old French embracier, based on bras, 'arm', with en-; the original sense of embracing led to meanings involving kissing and acceptance.
Usage tips
- For a cheek-kiss greeting, French usually uses faire la bise; embrasser is more readily understood as a kiss or intimate embrace outside that expression.