A love language’s meaning is very easy to understand. We all have different ways of expressing love, right? We all perform love in different ways. Some of us like to buy our partners and family gifts to show them how much they mean to us, while some keep it subtle and would rather do things for our loved ones than say a cheesy love confession. We are all built so differently, and the love languages explain just that.

What Are The Five Love Languages?

Dr. Gary Chapman was a marriage counselor who introduced the concept of love languages in 1992. According to them, there are five love languages worth noting.

Words of Affirmation

Some people absolutely thrive when they are reminded that they are loved and cherished. They prefer people to simply tell them that regularly and remind them of their importance in others’ lives. It makes them feel validated.

Quality Time

Some people prefer spending time together; they want to collect new memories together. They want to have deep conversations and know everything about the people around them. They would absolutely enjoy doing new adventures together as long as they get to do it with their loved ones.

Physical Touch

Some people are just touchy; we all have friends who invade our personal space like second nature. They like being close. They are very comfortable with kissing and snuggling in relationships.

Acts of Service

Acts of service is a type of love language where the person loves doing small things for their loved ones to make their lives easier. They would pick up your groceries and clean the kitchen if they notice that their loved one is too tired to do them. They want to share the workload so it’s easier to carry.

Receiving Gifts

This love language means that the person enjoys receiving and giving gifts; they like having physical proof that their loved ones thought of them and bought them something. Your friend who always brings home keychains and chocolates for you from their trips probably shares this love language.

How To Express Your Love In These Love Languages?

Words of Affirmation

If your loved one has this as their love language, prepare to be very vocal about your love for them. Always be patient and polite to them.

• Be encouraging when they do something right; praise them for the qualities.
• Tell them how important they are to you and how much you love them.
• Leave handwritten notes and texts with hearts to make them feel special.

Quality Time

If you are looking to express your love in this love language, all you have to do is be present and show up.

• Take them on good dates where you actually get to talk to each other.
• Do not waste time scrolling on your phone when they are around.
• When they talk to you, give them your full attention. Maintain eye contact and be a good listener.

Physical Touch

Physical touch would obviously need you to be more touchy with your attention. Simple gestures go a long way in making someone feel loved.

• Try to hug your friends or at least try being near them when you are hanging out.
• For romantic relationships, try to hold hands, kiss, and snuggle your partner.
• Initiating physical contact would make them feel seen.

Acts of Service

If your loved ones’ love language is an act of service, get ready to do some heavy-lifting around the house. You can start with helping them with chores.

• Try to help them around the house, doing the laundry and cleaning the kitchen for them.
• Simply show up for them; cooking them dinner would also earn you points.

Receiving Gifts

Receiving gifts is not a very expensive love language. You can simply buy them things that make you think of them.

• Handcraft them with something useful like a pen stand.
• Get them a gift without it being a special occasion or celebration.
• Pick up souvenirs for them from your trips; even something small like a fridge magnet will do.

See? It is very easy to cater to your loved one’s love language if you are dedicated.

What If You And Your Loved One’s Love Languages Are Different?

If you and your loved one’s love language are vastly different, it might feel exhausting, but there are ways to move past it.

• Communicate: Try to communicate to each other your wants and needs to figure out why you are not able to meet each other’s love language. 
• Translate: One of the most effective ways to deal with this is to translate your own love language into theirs. If their love language is words of affirmation and yours is gift-receiving, give them compliments on their choice of gift for you.
• Calculate the Impact: Adjust where you can. If they like physical touch and you are not comfortable, settle for simple hand-holding rather than hugs. Respect your own boundaries but make exceptions where you can. If you hate saying “I love you” and find it awkward and their love language is words of affirmation, leave them a text.

Love languages are different for everyone and an excellent way to know how to properly show someone love.