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baiser

to kiss

verb beh-ZEH Less Common

Usage Note

Baiser as a verb once meant simply 'to kiss,' but in modern colloquial French it has shifted to a vulgar meaning. Today, learners should use embrasser for 'to kiss' to avoid embarrassment. The noun un baiser (a kiss) remains perfectly standard and polite in all registers.

Examples

"Il lui a donné un baiser sur la joue."

Natural Translation

He gave her a kiss on the cheek.

Literal Translation

He to-her has given a kiss on the cheek

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