Everything You Should Know About Top 5 Love Languanges

The concept of love languages developed by Gary Chapman, in his book ‘’The 5 Love Languages’’, describes these unique styles of communicating love, categories he distilled from his experience in marriage counseling and linguistics. 

So what exactly are they and what do they mean?

These five love languages (Words of Affirmation, Acts of Service, Receiving Gifts, Quality Time, and Physical Touch) describe the way we feel loved and appreciated! 

Depending on our personality types, we may feel loved differently than how our partners do. 

Understanding these different ways of showing love will help take the guesswork out of our partner’s expectations and needs.

These love languages are not only present in romantic relationships, but in family, friendships, and even leadership!

Here's an overview of each of the five love languages and how they can be applied and optimized!

1. Words of Affirmation

This love language expresses love with words that build up your beloved one. 

Verbal compliments shouldn’t be complicated; the shortest and simplest praises can be the most effective. Words mean a lot if your partner has this kind of love language. 

Compliments and praises can go a long way. 

On the other hand, negative or insulting comments can hurt your partner and it could take them longer to forgive than others.

2. Acts of Service

The motto of this love language is “Actions speak louder than words.”

This love language expresses itself by doing things that you know your partner would like. 

Cooking a meal or doing the laundry are all acts of service. They require some thought, time, and effort.

All of these things should be done with positivity to be considered an expression of love. 

3. Receiving Gifts

This type of love language isn’t necessarily materialistic. 

It means that a meaningful gift makes your spouse feel loved and appreciated. 

Something as simple as picking up a pint of their favorite ice cream after a workweek can make a huge impact.

This is different than Acts of Service, where you show affection by performing actions to help your beloved one.

4. Quality Time

This love language is all about undivided attention. 

No televisions, no social media, no smartphones. 

They want their partners to look at them and them only.

Each time you cancel a date or aren’t present during your time together, it can be hurtful to your spouse as it can make them feel like you care more about other things or activities than them.

5. Physical Touch

To people with this love language, nothing is more important than the physical touch of their partner. 

They feel more connected and safe in a relationship by holding hands, kissing, hugging, etc.

If physical touch is your partner’s primary love language, they will feel unloved without any physical contact. 

All of the words or gifts in the world won’t change that. They want to feel you close by, not only emotionally, but physically!

Conclusion

Love languages are useful tools to improve how we communicate and express ourselves to each other, but they shouldn't be the be-all-and-end-all solution for happiness. 

Each one is important and expresses love in its own way. 

Learning your partner’s and your own primary love language will help create a stronger bond in your relationship.

It should perform as a starting point that sets couples on a journey to communicate with each other in a more profound way and self-regulate better!