French Phrase
Dans certains pays d'Europe, on fait des bisous dans l'air.
Meaning
This phrase describes the common social greeting found in many European cultures where individuals touch cheeks and make a kissing sound without actual lip contact. It highlights a specific cultural etiquette that might seem unusual to outsiders.
When to use
Use this phrase when discussing social customs, travel experiences, or explaining European greeting habits to others. It is a general observation about cultural behavior.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Danscertains paysd'Europeon faitdes bisousdans l'air
On fait
The pronoun 'on' is used here as an indefinite subject meaning 'people' or 'one' in a general sense.
Certains
This is an indefinite adjective meaning 'some'. It must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies, in this case 'pays' (masculine plural).
🗨In Conversation
Comment est-ce que les gens se disent bonjour ici ?
How do people say hello here?
Dans certains pays d'Europe, on fait des bisous dans l'air.
In some European countries, people do air-kisses.
✕Common Mistakes
Dans certains pays d'Europe, on fait des baisers dans l'air.
While 'baiser' means kiss, 'bisous' or 'la bise' is much more common and appropriate for describing this social greeting.
Dans certains pays d'Europe, on fait des bisous sur l'air.
Use the preposition 'dans' (in) rather than 'sur' (on) when describing something happening in the air.
↔Alternatives
On se fait la bise.
We do 'the bise' (cheek kissing).
Les gens s'embrassent sur la joue.
People kiss each other on the cheek.
Cultural Tip
In France, 'la bise' is a standard greeting between friends and family, but the number of kisses varies by region. The 'air-kiss' is often preferred in social settings to avoid smudging makeup or to maintain a slight physical distance while remaining friendly.