The Love Language Pairings That Work The Best Together
When we give and receive love from our partners, it can appear in different forms. Some of us prefer to be showered with words of affection, while others prefer our significant other to show us their love by helping with daily tasks. No matter your preference, it is beneficial for both partners to know the other's love language. Because if you exchange love in different ways, it's easy to get wires crossed and accidentally leave one partner feeling lonely, unappreciated, or that the relationship is one-sided.
According to Gary Chapman, creator of this concept, we tend to speak five love languages: acts of service, physical touch, quality time, gifts, and words of affirmation (via 5 Love Languages). Knowing your significant other's love language can help you show them affection in their preferred way and understand their needs. This can improve communication and the overall quality of your relationship (via Psych Central). Plus, it provides great inspiration for significant others wanting to spoil their partners.
Of course, knowing is only half the battle. Ideally, your love languages will complement each other so that affection can flow freely in your relationship. With that in mind, are there love languages that work better together than others? While any match-up can be successful with a little effort, these may be the love language pairings that gel naturally from the start.
Quality time and words of affirmation
Quality time and physical touch are two love languages that are extremely compatible in terms of showing affection and physical attraction. While one person craves the touch of their significant other, the other partner can have their quality time needs met. Physical touch doesn't always necessarily come down to sex (via Verily). It can also mean sharing simple physical gestures while you spend time together, satisfying both partners. Holding hands on a walk, giving a massage, or cuddling your partner close during a movie all work to please people who prefer these languages of love.
This pairing can often make for a wildly intimate and passionate partnership. "Quality time can easily turn into intimate time, resulting in a 'win-win' for both people," relationship expert Jaime Bronstein, LCSW, tells Bustle. "If this couple can be physically close to one another — through holding hands and PDA — even outside of the bedroom, they have the potential to thrive."
Receiving gifts and acts of service
Two love languages that are really compatible are acts of service and receiving gifts. As couples therapist Jennifer Seip explains to Women's Health, both of these languages require partners to think about what their significant other would like to receive, making the process of loving quite selfless. Receiving gifts isn't just about materialism, it's about appreciating the effort and thoughtfulness put into a gift (via Verywell Mind). This makes it a good match for acts of service, which values the same things. When you're offering gifts or providing your talents in the form of service, you are giving a part of yourself and your time to your partner. Doing the dishes, washing the car, bringing home flowers, or simply helping with the groceries are all great ways to show you truly care.
No matter your love language, most pairings can work just fine together. The key is seeking out how your partner prefers to be adored. By working on creative ways to show you care, you can help your relationship avoid a plateau and enjoy keeping your love life fresh and exciting.