The Five Love Languages

With over 12 million copies sold and having continually ranked in the top five of the New York Times bestsellers list, ‘The Five Love Languages’ by Gary Chapman is a 1992 book that is very much relevant today. As you can presume, it defines five universal love languages that various people tend to receive and communicate love with. While you might relate to all of them to varying degrees, one will probably stand out to you more than the others, and it is how you are personally affected by love most deeply. If you’re interested in learning about them, keep reading.

Words of Affirmation

This language is for those who will melt over reading a long, heartfelt card from you on a special occasion, or be put at ease if you tell them you love them in the middle of a fight. But, of course, not every smooth talker makes a great friend or significant other, so it’s good for them to practice telling between fake and intentional words so it doesn’t get used against them.

Acts of Service

For these guys, action speaks way louder than words. They love grand gestures and your availability and readiness to help in a time of need, whether you accompany them to a dreaded appointment or offer your skills to them as they work on a big project, for example. Although, simple tasks like washing the dishes and cooking a meal for them can also really touch their hearts.

Gifts

While this might come off as a bit shallow, this language is actually way more meaningful than it seems at first glance; it is less about simply getting stuff and more about the idea that people have been thinking about them. For them, a thoughtful gift can make their day because it shows them how well you know them and care about them feeling known.

Quality Time

Quality being the keyword here, this language is all about taking time out of your schedule just to be with them and learning more about them. Their biggest pet peeve is probably being on a date with someone who keeps checking their phone every two seconds. They really cherish undivided attention, and they want relationships in which they are given the room to be heard and understood.

Physical Touch

This language is probably the most common one I’ve actually come across, and it is very legit. Hugs, arms over shoulders and pats on the back are the way they feel most loved and appreciated. In a stressful situation, if you hold their hand or squeeze their shoulder, it can mean the world to them because it communicates to them that they are not alone.