Love Languages Explained: A Practical Guide for Couples

Every relationship has a silent language — a way of giving and receiving love that feels most natural. When partners speak different love languages, even the most devoted couple can feel disconnected. Understanding the five love languages, a concept introduced by Dr. Gary Chapman, is one of the most practical things you can do to strengthen your relationship.

The Five Love Languages

1. Words of Affirmation

For some people, nothing lands deeper than hearing "I love you," "I'm proud of you," or "You handled that so well." Words of affirmation are verbal expressions of love, appreciation, and encouragement.

Practical tips:

• Send a text mid-day just to say you're thinking of them
• Leave a note somewhere unexpected — in a jacket pocket, on the mirror
• Verbally acknowledge effort, not just results

Lovestruck maps directly to this love language. The Pings feature lets you send a one-tap "thinking of you" signal throughout the day, and Love Notes on your partner's home screen widget keep your words front and center even when you're apart.

2. Acts of Service

Actions speak louder than words for this love language. Doing something helpful — making coffee, handling a stressful errand, cooking dinner — communicates love through effort.

Practical tips:

• Pay attention to tasks your partner dreads and quietly handle them
• Ask "What would take something off your plate today?"
• Follow through without needing to be thanked

3. Physical Touch

This isn't only about intimacy. A hand on the shoulder, a long hug, or sitting close on the couch all signal safety and connection for people whose primary language is physical touch.

Practical tips:

• Make contact a habit — a kiss hello, a hand held during a walk
• Don't reserve touch only for romantic moments
• Check in about what kinds of touch feel most comforting

4. Quality Time

Quality time is about undivided attention — phones down, present in the moment. It's not about being in the same room; it's about being genuinely engaged.

Practical tips:

• Schedule device-free time, even 20 minutes counts
• Try new activities together to build shared memories
• Have real conversations, not just logistics

Lovestruck's Daily Questions feature is built for exactly this. Each day, both partners answer the same prompt — it sparks the kind of conversations that build genuine closeness, even on busy days.

5. Receiving Gifts

Receiving Gifts isn't about materialism — it's about thoughtfulness. A meaningful gift says "I saw this and thought of you." The value is in the intention, not the price tag.

Practical tips:

• Keep a mental (or actual) list of things your partner mentions wanting
• Bring back something small from trips — a postcard, a snack they like
• Celebrate small milestones, not just big ones

Putting It Into Practice

Most people have a primary love language and a secondary one. The key is learning your partner's language and speaking it consistently — even when it doesn't come naturally to you.

Start by having an honest conversation: How do you feel most loved? Then observe what your partner gives freely, because people tend to give love the way they want to receive it.

When you make a daily effort to speak your partner's language, the relationship stops feeling like maintenance and starts feeling like something you actively build together.