embrasser
to kiss
Beginner Verb
🔊
Pronunciation
/ɑ̃.bʁa.se/
💡
Cultural Note
'Embrasser' originally meant 'to embrace' (from 'bras,' arm), and it still can. The shift to meaning 'to kiss' happened over centuries. In France, 'la bise' — cheek kisses as greetings — is a daily ritual, with the number of kisses varying by region from one to four.
📝 Example Sentences
Il l'a embrassée passionnément.
He kissed her passionately.
Ils se sont embrassés sous la pluie.
They kissed in the rain.