how to say “to kiss” in Hebrew
לְהִתְנַשֵּׁק
Yesterday we saw the various Hebrew words for hug. Today we’ll look at kissing, which has a similar grammar.
The root of kissing – נ.שׁ.ק (n.sh.k) – is the same as that of a weapon – נֶשֶׁק – not because of the “kiss of death”, but probably because a weapon is typically fastened to the body of the person bearing it, just as the lips of the kisser are fastened to their beloved.
– not because of the “kiss of death”, but probably because a weapon is typically fastened to the body of the person bearing it, just as the lips of the kisser are fastened to their beloved.הָאָב מְנַשֵּׁק אֶת הַיְּלָדִים שֶׁלּוֹ כָּל לַיְלָה.
The father kisses his children every night.
הֵם הִתְנַשְּׁקוּ בַּכִּכָּר לִפְנֵי כֻּלָּם.
They kissed in the square in front of everyone.
And a kiss… well, that’s a נְשִׁיקָה . For example:
. For example:תְּנִי לְסַבְתָּא נְשִׁיקָה עַל הַלֶּחִי!
Give Grandma a kiss on the cheek! (speaking to a female)