besar

To kiss — a common, straightforward -ar verb used for romantic, familial, and greeting kisses alike: besar en la mejilla is a normal greeting in much of the Spanish-speaking world. The imperative bésame ("kiss me") is instantly recognizable from the classic bolero.

• Se besaron al despedirse en el aeropuerto. — They kissed goodbye at the airport.
• Aquí es normal besar en la mejilla al saludar. — Here it's normal to kiss on the cheek when greeting someone.
• Le besó la frente antes de dormir. — She kissed his forehead before he went to sleep.

Cheek-kissing as a greeting varies by country and context (common in Spain and much of Latin America between friends, less so in professional settings) — a learner shouldn't assume it's universal or appropriate in every situation.

• song Bésame Mucho — Consuelo Velázquez's 1932 bolero, recognized in 1999 as the most recorded and covered Spanish-language song of all time, with the imperative bésame ("kiss me") in its title and refrain.