Greetings in Spain A1 (Two Kisses Explained)
Free A1 Spanish culture reading on greetings and two kisses. Graded etiquette text with translation practice.
El saludo en España
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About this article
What you'll learn
greetings vocabulary, social customs, communication verbs, daily life
This article explains how Spanish people greet each other in different situations, including the tradition of two kisses. The A1 level text is ideal for beginners. You will learn vocabulary for communication and daily situations.
After reading
Article learning block
Phrases, words, grammar, and quick practice from this text.
Phrases for training
Add useful phrases to SRS or mark them as already known.
dos besos en las mejillas
newTwo kisses on the cheeks
Standard greeting between women in Spain — cheeks touch and a kissing sound is made.
The most common way for women to greet each other in Spain.
dar la mano
newTo shake hands
Men normally shake hands. This is a formal and friendly greeting.
Use this greeting between men, especially in formal situations.
darse un abrazo
newTo hug each other
Close male friends may hug. This is a sign of affection and friendship.
When men are very close friends, they may hug instead of shaking hands.
buenos días
newGood morning / Good afternoon
In Spain, when entering a shop you always say "buenos días" (before noon) or "buenas tardes" (after noon).
Always greet when entering Spanish shops — it is polite.
adiós
newGoodbye / See you later
When leaving a shop, Spaniards say "adiós" (goodbye) or "hasta luego" (see you later).
The normal way to say goodbye in Spain.
es de mala educación
newIt is bad manners
In Spain, entering somewhere without greeting is "de mala educación" — bad manners.
Remember this expression to understand when Spaniards criticize rude behavior.
Key words
Vocabulary that carries the school-day topic.
To greet
saludar
To greet
The verb "saludar" means to greet someone. It is the key word of this topic.
Without this word you cannot understand any conversation about greetings in Spain.
Kiss
el beso
Kiss
The noun "el beso" means kiss. Used with the verb "dar": dar un beso.
Central word of the article about Spanish greetings.
Cheek
la mejilla
Cheek
"La mejilla" means cheek. Spanish cheeks touch during the kissing greeting.
Important word for describing the traditional greeting.
Hand
la mano
Hand
"La mano" means hand. "Dar la mano" means to shake hands.
Used in formal greetings and between men.
Hug
el abrazo
Hug
"El abrazo" means hug. The verb "abrazar" means to hug.
A more emotional greeting between close friends.
Affection
el cariño
Affection, love
"El cariño" means warmth, affection, love. A display of feelings.
Key word for understanding the emotional side of Spanish greetings.
Grammar in context
Patterns from the text worth noticing after reading.
Negative tú imperative
no tengas miedo
Don't be afraid
To say "don't do this" with "tú", use: no + verb in present subjunctive. "tengas" → from "tener". "No tengas miedo" = "Don't be afraid".
Useful for encouraging someone not to be afraid to do something.
Reflexive verbs in present tense
se dan la mano
They shake hands
When a verb has "se", it is reflexive. "darse la mano" = "to shake hands". In present: "se dan la mano" (they shake hands).
Reflexive verbs often appear in descriptions of habits and daily actions.
Gender and number agreement
dos besos
Two kisses
In Spanish, adjectives and nouns agree: "dos besos" (masculine plural), "la mano" (feminine singular). Notice "la" before "mano" — feminine gender.
Important for correct grammar in all sentence types.
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