‘Spanish for kiss’ NYT Mini Crossword Aug. 8 clue solution and hints

I love discovering new languages, but I’ve never been able to learn Spanish. That left me in a lurch for today’s NYT Mini Crossword clue, “Spanish for kiss.”

This tricky language question, “Spanish for kiss,” is the eight-across clue in the Aug. 8 NYT Mini Crossword. If you’d like to try and solve this on your own, I’ve included four hints below, as well as the answer if you’re still at a loss.

(Aug. 8) ‘Spanish for “kiss”‘ NYT Mini Crossword hints and answer

• Hint 1: It starts with a “B.”
• Hint 2: It contains two vowels.
• Hint 3: ROSALÍA and Rauw Alejandro have a song called this.
• Hint 4: It’s one word.

The answer to the “Spanish for ‘kiss'” clue is “BESO.” The Cambridge Dictionary describes beso or kiss as a masculine noun. If you’d like to know how to pronounce this word (for next time you’re using it, of course), it’s pronounced “beh-soh.”

All NYT Aug. 8 Mini Crossword puzzle clues and answers

Across

• 1A Q-tip, for instance — SWAB
• 5A Bracelet dangler — CHARM
• 6A Pricey watchmaker with crown logo — ROLEX
• 7A Rubs the wrong way — IRKS
• 8A Spanish for “kiss” — BESO

Down

• 1D Place to find seashells — SHORE
• 2D “Enjoys long ___on the beach” (classic phrase in a personal ad) — WALKS
• 3D Retort to “Am not!” — ARE SO
• 4D Stunt rider’s sport, for short — BMX
• 5D Bed with a blankie — CRIB

‘Spanish for “kiss”‘ clue difficulty – rated

If you’re like me and didn’t learn Spanish in school or have never had an opportunity to learn Spanish, solving this clue is essentially impossible—unless you’ve solved the whole puzzle or can make a good guess based on having solved the surrounding clues. Because of this, I’d rate this clue five out of five in difficulty.

Best puzzles to play after the NYT Mini Crossword

The best thing about mini crosswords is while they’re short, they can be challenging. If you’re after more mini crosswords, try the ones from the LA Times or the Washington Post. Or, give Strands or Spelling Bee from the NYT a try if you like word searches and creating words.