Becot, bise, bisou: kisses in French on Valentine's Day
Saturday, February 14, 2015
Don't miss our daughter Jackie's soundfile today, and enjoy this snapshot of Smokey and the heart shutter (roses are from Cousin Audrey).
On this, the 14th day of February, la journée de la Saint-Valentin or la fête des amoureux we begin with a string of lip-swaying nouns. Go ahead and pronounce the first line in the next paragraph and just feel your lips move to and fro—the exercise is a perfect warm up for un bisou!
TODAY' WORD: un bécot
(bay-koh)
: a little kiss
A smack, a smooch, a peck--un bécot or une bise--were once upon a time (and only in the land of lavender) known simply, humbly, endearingly as a kind of poutoun (poo-toon). And in the Provence of yesteryear, Marilyn's "a kiss on the hand" might have been, and rhymingly so, "un poutoun sur la main".
AUDIO FILE: Listen to Jackie read the following: Download MP3 or Wav
Un bécot, une bise, ou bien un poutoun (en Provençal)--voilà trois façons pour dire "kiss" en français! A smooch, a peck, or a kiss--there you have it: three ways to say "kiss" in French!
Given that this letter comes to you just a few beats away from the heart of Provence, not far from where La Festo di Poutoun, or "Kiss Festival," is soon to be underway, I hope you'll give today's word—un poutoun / a kiss—more than lip-service by sharing this edition with a sweetheart.
Thank you for reading and I'll now sign off, with a welcome change to cordialement, amicalement, best regards, and even cheers....
Poutouns,
Kristin
Les Mots Doux ~ Terms of Endearment
It may seem strange that the French, widely regarded as one of the most sophisticated and beautiful people on the planet, use some of the most strange (and not so beautiful) terms to refer to their belle/beau, or loved one. Take, for example, "ma puce" which means "my flea" (very popular here) and mon chou or "my cabbage" (beau, n'est-ce pas?).
The heart shutter in the first photo we saw today, and please check out these sponsor messages:
.
mon amour (mohn a-moor) = my love
mamour = my love
mon bébé (mohn bay-bay) = baby
ma belle (mah bel) = my beautiful (one)
ma biche (mah beesh) = my doe
ma caille (mah kahy) = my quail
mon canard (mohn ka-nar)= my duck
ma chérie/mon chéri (mah/mohn shay-ree) = my dear
mon chou* (mohn shoo) = my cream puff (sweetie-pie, cupcake)
mon coeur (mohn ker) = my sweetheart
mon lapin (mohn la-pahn) = my rabbit
ma moitié (mah mwa-tyay) = my half
mon poulet (mohn poo-lay) = my chicken
mon trésor (mohn tray-zor) = my treasure
mon poussin (mohn poo-sahn) = my chick
ma puce (mah poose) = my (little flea)
mon sucre d'orge (mohn sookr-dorzh) = my barley sugar
*from mon chou à la crème
Photo taken in Sérignan (VAR).
More Love Vocabulary / Vocabulaire Amoureux:
les billets doux = valentines
fréquenter = to see / go out with someone
amouracher & s'amouracher de = to become infatuated with
tomber amoureux = to fall in love
être fou amoureux/amoureuse de quelqu'un = to be crazy in love with someone
Grow your French Vocabulary:
Bonne journée de la Saint-Valentin = Happy Valentine's Day
la fête des amoureux = the lovers' celebration
bee-zoo = pronunciation for "bisou" = kiss
cordialement = cordially
amicalement = best wishes, yours
"The Kiss." Jean-Marc and I on our 20th wedding anniversary. The beach is near La Madrague (St. Cyr-sur-Mer).
Get away for Valentines Day. Locate a cozy bed and breakfast here in France.
Selected "heart" expressions:
un coup de coeur = a spontaneous attraction
vider son coeur = to reveal one's feelings
Aimer de tout son coeur = to love with all one's heart
Laisser parler son coeur = to let one's heart speak
Donner son coeur à quelqu'un = to give one's heart to someone
un bourreau des coeurs = a ladykiller
Faire le joli coeur = to seduce
joli(e) comme un coeur = ravishing
"Hold the ladder," he said.
"OK, but can I take a photo? Wait. Don't answer. Hang on!"
I'm calling this picture "Superman of the Bougainvillea," unless you have a better caption? Meantime Happy, happy Valentine's Day!
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For more online reading: The Lost Gardens: A Story of Two Vineyards and a Sobriety
Lovely photos - Bonne journée de la Saint-Valentin!
Posted by: Le Bal des Courtisans | Saturday, February 14, 2015 at 11:57 AM
merci pour toute la vocabulaire de l'amour!
Posted by: joan | Saturday, February 14, 2015 at 12:42 PM
I hope everyone received a valentine . I did !!
Lovely collection of photos Kristin
Posted by: Audrey Wilson | Saturday, February 14, 2015 at 01:02 PM
What a lovely post, happy Valentine's day to all.
Posted by: Kathy in Kansas | Saturday, February 14, 2015 at 01:10 PM
What a great post! I enjoyed all the love related vocabulary. Thanks and happy Valentine's day!
Posted by: Brittany Stolle | Saturday, February 14, 2015 at 02:59 PM
Merci, Kristin. Wonderful post and photos. I retweeted on twitter to share all the hearts.
Posted by: Monica | Saturday, February 14, 2015 at 03:21 PM
Love all the hearts! Happy Valentine's Day to you and all yours.
Posted by: Tracy B. Snyder | Saturday, February 14, 2015 at 04:16 PM
*Loved* today's post Kristin! Merci! <3 <3
Posted by: Becky | Saturday, February 14, 2015 at 04:57 PM
Happy Valentine's Day to you all - Smokey & the gang ~~
Your photos are just beautiful ~ as always.
Thanks for everything ~ and please take lots more pics ~ I so enjoy them as well as everything in your newsletter/blog/etc.
thank you...! Cheers.
Posted by: Vada Hendrickson | Saturday, February 14, 2015 at 05:40 PM
Hello, Kristi,
I thoroughly enjoyed your Valentine's Day posting!
How can you have possibly celebrated your 20th wedding anniversary when you still have the rockin' body and looks of a 20 year-old?
You are such an inspiration to your devoted readers on so many levels and I always appreciate your informative and beautifully-written blogs.
Kudos to your for living the dream and Happy Valentine's Day to You and Jean-Marc!
Posted by: Francine Hufrfman | Saturday, February 14, 2015 at 05:46 PM
It's a bird! It's a plane! It's the man who can do everything! Kristi's Superman tresor, indeed. Great photo.
Posted by: Ruth Massaro | Saturday, February 14, 2015 at 05:52 PM
Your fun and lovable comments are the BEST valentine! Thank you so much and please visit my instagram page where Ill post more photos in between these blog updates:
http://instagram.com/kristinespinasse?modal=true
Posted by: Kristin Espinasse | Saturday, February 14, 2015 at 06:01 PM
Thank you, Kristi, for this wonderful Valentine's Day feast of words, pictures and audios (thank you, Jackie and Jean-Marc)! Happy Valentine"s Day to you and your family and those whom you hold dear to your heart.
Posted by: Cynthia P. Lewis | Saturday, February 14, 2015 at 06:43 PM
Our dear Kristi,
What a totally,completely WONDERFUL post today!
Especially love the pictures(particularly the one of you both on your 20th!You,dear Kristi,are awesome!No other word will do!)
Happy Valentines!!
Love
Natalia
xo
Posted by: Natalia | Saturday, February 14, 2015 at 07:54 PM
Absolutely loved your post. Happy Valentine's Day to you and your beautiful family. Thanks for all the vocabulary and thanks for the audio; always enjoy!
Posted by: Peggy | Saturday, February 14, 2015 at 09:36 PM
Kristin, Joyeuse Saint-Valentin.
~
Will you tell me the correct etiquette for the bisou, which I think, is the kiss on the cheek. I have often wondered. And, if you kiss someone on the neck instead, is it considered poor etiquette ? :^)
Posted by: Frank Chappell | Saturday, February 14, 2015 at 09:43 PM
Great way to spend Valentine's Day, reading all the luscious French words and enjoying the happy couple's 20th anniversary pix. By the time you read this, it'll probably be after midnight there, but every day is Valentine's Day when you have your amour to biser.
Posted by: Diane Young | Saturday, February 14, 2015 at 11:09 PM
Great vocabulary list! One thought: perhaps next year post this vocabulary a week in advance so we who are teachers can share these words with our students.
I always enjoy reading French Word-A-Day!
Best,
Don Read
Middle School French Teacher
Moraga, CA, USA
Posted by: Don Read | Saturday, February 14, 2015 at 11:10 PM
I'm fortunate enough to be able to make good use of all of these words and phrases. Thank you, Kristin, and Happy St. Valentine's Day!
Posted by: Leslie in Oregon | Sunday, February 15, 2015 at 02:55 AM
All of these made me smile. It is so true, Kristen, why are some of these words so...odd? I have come to take it for granted. :)
And as to Frank's question: if you kiss someone on the neck, prepare to get slapped!
Posted by: Heather in Arles | Sunday, February 15, 2015 at 12:48 PM
So clever of Jean Marc to wear a top that went so well with the flowers in the photo. Great "styling", those French are Naturals!!
Posted by: Sally | Monday, February 16, 2015 at 03:37 AM
Great photos. Loved the anniversaries picture.
Lots of words and sayings. Liked the increased opportunity for vocabulary.
Posted by: Nancy in Canada | Monday, February 16, 2015 at 08:12 PM