Latin Word for Kiss

by English Student
(Virginia, U.S.)

Dear Latin Teacher,

How can one translate "I like to kiss you" or some such complimentary romantic phrase in Latin? I would like to surprise my boyfriend, who speaks Latin.

Thanks, Latin Teacher!

English Student


Dear English Student,

The Latin word for kiss is osculum. It really means "little mouth", as it is the diminutive form of os, oris.

The Latin verb for give is do, dare, dedi, datum. So the most common phrase for "to give a kiss" is osculum dare.

The phrase you're looking for might be: Oscula tibi dare me delectat. I like to give you kisses.

Another Roman word for kiss is basium. See this poem from Catullus:

Da mi basia mille, deinde centum,
dein mille altera, dein secunda centum,
deinde usque altera mille, deinde centum.


Give me a thousand kisses, then a hundred,
then another thousand, then a second hundred,
then continually another thousand, then a hundred.


Thanks for asking a Latin teacher!

Sincerely,

John

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