Translation guide
In Japanese, expressing 'kiss' depends on context, formality, and nuance. The most common word is キス, a casual loanword. For romantic or passionate kisses, 口づけ or 接吻 are used, but they are more literary or formal. Verbs like キスする and 口づける are common. Be aware that direct translations can sound awkward; often, describing the action naturally is better.
To refer to a kiss in a casual, everyday context, such as a peck on the cheek or lips.
The most common and neutral loanword for 'kiss'. Used in casual conversation and writing.
I kissed my girlfriend.
キスしてもいい？
Can I kiss you?
A cute, childish, or affectionate term for a kiss, often used with children or in lighthearted contexts.
ママにチューして。
Give Mommy a kiss.
To express a deep, romantic, or passionate kiss, often in literature or formal contexts.
A romantic, somewhat literary word for 'kiss'. Often used in songs, poems, and novels.
二人は星空の下で口づけを交わした。
The two exchanged a kiss under the starry sky.
A formal, technical, or literary term for 'kiss'. Rare in everyday speech.
Also used for romantic kisses in casual contexts, but less intense than 口づけ.
彼と初めてキスをした。
I had my first kiss with him.
To describe the act of kissing someone or something.
The most common verb for 'to kiss'. Casual and widely used.
彼は彼女の頬にキスした。
He kissed her on the cheek.
The verb form of 口づけ, meaning 'to kiss' in a romantic or literary sense.
王子は姫の手に口づけた。
The prince kissed the princess's hand.
Formal verb for 'to kiss'. Rarely used in conversation.
彼らは人前で接吻することを避けた。
They avoided kissing in public.
To describe a kiss on the cheek as a greeting, common in some cultures but not in Japan.
Describes the action literally. Since cheek kissing is not a Japanese custom, it's often explained rather than assumed.
フランスでは、挨拶として頬にキスをする。
In France, they kiss on the cheek as a greeting.
Refers to a greeting kiss. Useful when explaining the custom.
彼女は挨拶のキスをしようとしたが、彼は戸惑った。
She tried to give a greeting kiss, but he was confused.
To refer to mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
The standard term for artificial respiration, including mouth-to-mouth. Not a romantic kiss.
彼は溺れた人に人工呼吸を施した。
He gave the drowning person the kiss of life.
To describe something lightly touching another, like 'the breeze kissed her cheek'.
Means 'to touch gently'. Often used in poetic descriptions instead of a direct translation of 'kiss'.
そよ風が彼女の頬にそっと触れた。
The breeze kissed her cheek.
In English, 'kiss' can be used metaphorically (e.g., 'kiss of death', 'kiss goodbye'). These rarely translate directly to Japanese. Use context-appropriate expressions instead.
それは彼のキャリアの終わりを意味した。
It was the kiss of death for his career.
キス is the everyday word. 口づけ is romantic and literary. 接吻 is formal and technical. Use キス in most situations unless you want a poetic or formal tone.
接吻は愛情表現の一つだ。
A kiss is one expression of affection.