Today we’ll look at the fun informal French expression gros bisous, which translates literally to “big kiss”. Meanings for this expression include “hugs and kisses”, “lots of love” and “love”. Loose translations include “take care” and “see you soon”. Bisous is related to the verbs biser (to kiss on the cheek), which comes from basiare (to kiss) in Latin.
gros bisous
hugs and kisses, lots of love, love
Pronunciation [gʀo bizu]
Gros bisous
Example sentences
For this first sentence, allez is the second-person plural (vous) form of aller (to go). One usage of the interjection “allez!” is “come on!”. However, in this sentence it’s very tricky to translate.
Allez, au revoir Marie-Anne ! Gros bisous !
Goodbye, Marie-Anne! Lots of love!
This sentence uses faire un gros bisous à quelqu’un, literally “to do/make a big kiss to somebody”. Je t’aime can translate to “I like you” and “I love you”. This lesson explores je t’aime in detail.
Je t’aime de tout mon cœur et je te fais de gros bisous !
I love you with all my heart. Big kisses!
Viens t’assoir Sylvie, je veux te faire un gros bisou.
Come sit down Sylvie. I want to give you a big kiss.
This sentence uses embrasser quelqu’un, literally to kiss or hug somebody. Je t’embrasse (or je vous embrasse) can be used synonymously for gros bisous when ending a message or letter.
J’espère te revoir bientôt ! Je t’embrasse !
I hope to see you soon! Lots of love!
Related lessons
- La Bise: Guide To The French Greeting Kiss
- Gros, grosse – large, fat
- Aimer – to like, to love
- Terms of endearment
- Valentine’s Day in France
- How to write letters and emails in French
Reference
Word of the Day archive | Lessons by David Issokson
