It's a common social custom in France and other parts of Europe. The number of kisses can vary depending on the region, but it's typically two.
Here's a breakdown of the word:
* La: The feminine definite article in French (meaning "the")
* Bise: A word for "kiss" in some French dialects, specifically in the context of a greeting.
So, "la bise" literally means "the kiss." However, it's more accurately translated as "the cheek kiss" or simply "a kiss on the cheek."