How do you tell if a man loves you? What signs should you look for?
Whatever your partner’s personality, it helps to know the psychology of men in love. What does love feel like for a man, anyway?
All you’ve noticed is he doesn’t act the same way you do.
You’re not weird if you’re wondering whether the man in your life truly loves you.
But if he shows love in any of the nine ways described here, there’s hope.
And if you didn’t have that, you probably wouldn’t be here.
What’s in this post:
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- How Do Guys Express Their Feelings?
- How Do Guys Show Affection?
- How Men Express Love: 9 Common Ways
- 1. He shows his affection for you in public.
- 2. Whatever you’re doing together, he’s all in.
- 3. He puts thought into gifts and surprises.
- 4. He spends more time with you.
- 5. He shares his secrets.
- 6. He’s willing to make compromises.
- 7. He stays (physically) close to you.
- 8. He listens to you.
- 9. He’ll do things for you just to make your life easier.
- How does your guy express his love?
How Do Guys Express Their Feelings?
Unlike women, men are discouraged from expressing their feelings, so they may show their love in ways that differ from your own. It doesn’t mean they love you less.
Ask a guy what he’s feeling, and he may not know just how to answer the question.
Or, if a particular feeling is dominating his thoughts, he might tell you exactly what it is.
If he wants to let you in, but he can’t put his feelings into words, he’ll find a way to show them.
How Do Guys Show Affection?
What kind of affection do guys like? It all comes down to their love language. And while every guy is different, men, in general, tend to prefer physical affection, quality time, and words of affirmation.
Like women, men show affection in the way they most like to receive it.
And if you don’t respond as they would, they’re just as likely to wonder whether you feel less affection for them than they feel for you.
This is where it helps to know different perspectives on how to express feelings and show affection. It’s also why communication in a relationship is critical to its success.
How Men Express Love: 9 Common Ways
How do affectionate men show their love? And what if the man you love isn’t as affectionate or expressive as you’d like? Look through the following signs of a man in love, and you’ll have a better sense of what he feels for you.
Because while love is a choice, being in love is not. And, like most of us, you want both.
1. He shows his affection for you in public.
He seems more comfortable showing affection to you in public. Maybe it was weird when you first started dating, but the closer you become, the less he cares about what other people think. He’d make a fool of himself to put a smile on your face.
If instead, he’s more likely to walk ahead of you and let the door close in your face, maybe just run.
2. Whatever you’re doing together, he’s all in.
He might have his preferences, but the main thing for him is getting to spend time with you and enjoy your company. So, he’ll be up for just about anything.
While any relationship should give both partners a chance to do what they enjoy — together or apart — he’ll be fully invested when you’re doing something together, even if the chosen activity is nowhere near his top ten.
3. He puts thought into gifts and surprises.
He’s been paying attention, so he knows something about what you like, and he uses that information when buying you gifts.
And just like that, he stands out from the ex-boyfriend who bought you a last-minute gift of diet pills and random drug store perfume (and you don’t even wear perfume).
He knows it matters to you that his gifts show he cares about your interests, so he’ll put in the effort and go out of his way to surprise you.
4. He spends more time with you.
He’s been spending more of his time with you, and you’ve enjoyed the preferential treatment. He seems genuinely happy to be wherever you are — and vice-versa.
You’re his favorite person on earth, so naturally, he’ll want to spend as much time with you as he can, though he’ll also need some time and space to call his own (as we all do).
Pay attention to his attitude when you’re together. If he’s acting bored or like he’d rather be somewhere else, you’re better off without him.
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A man who’s in love with you is more likely to share secrets with you he shares with no one else (or only a select few). He lets you in because he loves and trusts you.
If he’s closed-off around you, though, and refuses to share intimate details about himself, even after you’ve dated for a while, take it as a sign he’s not ready for a close relationship with you.
Don’t press him to share his secrets, though, or to open up before he’s ready.
At some point, it makes sense to ask him whether he’ll ever open up to you.
6. He’s willing to make compromises.
He cares about your happiness and wants his decisions to benefit both of you. So, he listens carefully to your point of view and shows his willingness to meet you halfway.
This is no small thing. If he hates compromises, as a rule, it means something if he makes them for you. He’s willing to give up something valuable to reach an agreement with you, as long as you’re willing to do the same.
7. He stays (physically) close to you.
Staying in close physical proximity is one way he’ll express his attachment to you. If you go to a social event together, he’ll show a marked preference for your company over anyone else’s. He may step away for short periods, but he always finds his way back to you.
If he can’t spend most of his time with you, his attention will be drawn to you, wherever you are.
He might send you random texts to check up on you. Or he’ll send you a small gift of some kind to let you know he’s thinking of you.
8. He listens to you.
And I don’t mean he listens for a few seconds before he interrupts or talks over you, changing the subject or hijacking the conversation.
It’s not love if he uses your words as a springboard for a stream-of-consciousness monologue about himself. Anyone who does this should remain single.
But the guy you’re talking about really listens to you. Maybe he falls into old habits now and then (we all have them), but you can see he’s really trying to pay closer attention. And it matters.
9. He’ll do things for you just to make your life easier.
He’ll pick up your dry-cleaning just because. Or he’ll grab an extra coffee for you when he’s caffeinating himself. He’ll find a variety of ways to help you or just put a smile on your face. If it makes your life better in some way, he’ll do it.
Just remember that, while he’s not doing those things for a reward, he will appreciate a genuine thank you (as anyone would).
And if he’s going out of his way to help you (with no strings attached), let him know you appreciate his acts of thoughtfulness.
How does your guy express his love?
Now you know how to recognize men’s love by their behavior, what signs stood out for you? Which have you seen — or which have you wanted to see but haven’t?
Every guy is different. You don’t want him showing signs of love if he doesn’t feel it. But you do want to know, one way or another, whether or not he does. And you’re not wrong to want that.
Make a list of your concerns and questions. Then make time for a heart-to-heart with him. If he loves you, he’ll be more than up for it.
FAQs
How does a man show you he loves you? ›
He won't play games but will give you a clear sign of how he feels. He will talk about his feelings and won't make big decisions without your input. He will prioritize your well-being over material possessions. He will be sure you feel comfortable around his friends—a guy likes to show off his woman if he loves her.
How do men typically show love? ›Maintaining close physical contact
If a man wants to show that he loves you, he will always want to stay close to you. However, when it comes to how do guys express their feelings, you will notice that they maintain physical proximity with you. He might hold your hand, hug you or wrap his arm around you.
It all comes down to their love language. And while every guy is different, men, in general, tend to prefer physical affection, quality time, and words of affirmation. Like women, men show affection in the way they most like to receive it.
How does a man express his feelings? ›Men often express feelings outwardly through body language such as physical gestures, facial changes, muscle tensing and gritting teeth, instead of expressing those emotions with words.
How do you know if a guy has strong feelings for you? ›One of the signs he has strong feelings for you is when he constantly tries to communicate with you. He checks on you by texting or calling you. He would even chat or text you when he wakes up, letting you know that you're the first one he thinks about upon waking up.
What triggers love in a man? ›Physical attraction, sexual compatibility, empathy, and emotional connection are key to making a man fall in love with a woman.
What makes a man feel connected to a woman? ›In plain language: Men often feel most loved by the women in their lives when their partners hug them, kiss them, smile at them, and explicitly offer gratitude, praise, and words of affection. Men also feel loved and connected through sexuality, often to a greater degree than women do.
How do guys show they care about you? ›When a guy cares about you, he will try to make you feel nice. One of the ways to do so is to offer you compliments and try to bring a smile to your face. He will always find a reason to say something good about you. It can be anything – right from the way you laugh to the dress you are wearing.
How do guys show more affection? ›Physical touch: Physical affection—such as cuddling, holding hands, massages, kissing, and hugging—are all great ways to show your partner that you love them and can help your form a closer bond. Acts of kindness: Often, it's the little things that count. Find opportunities to show your partner kindness.
What do men do when they are in love? ›- He's generous with food. ...
- He'll pamper himself with you. ...
- He usually doesn't freak out, even when you think he will. ...
- He fawns over your naked body. ...
- He remembers things big and small. ...
- He stares at you. ...
- He fills his family in on the details of your life. ...
- He'll tell you as much.
What body language says he likes you? ›
For example, if he likes you but doesn't want you to know it, he might: Lock eyes with you or hold eye contact for longer than other guys and he may follow you with his eyes across the room. He might also raise his eyebrows when you're talking, which is a body language sin that he's paying attention while you speak.
What are the 5 love signs? ›- Words of affirmation.
- Quality time.
- Physical touch.
- Acts of service.
- Receiving gifts.
According to James Bauer's book “His Secret Obsession,” a man has a deep secret urge that is more intense and powerful than hunger, and thirst. James refers to this strong biological desire as Hero Instinct. A man wants to feel irreplaceable during this drive.
What makes a man stay madly in love with a woman? ›Emotional vulnerability
Research shows that by being emotionally vulnerable with each other, couples can bond with each other. It can deepen the love between them in a significant way. Emotional vulnerability can be the key to what makes a man fall deeply in love with a woman.
- Call him by cute names often:
- Keep him guessing:
- Touch him unexpectedly:
- Small changes do make a big difference:
- Compliment him often:
- Take him down the memory lane:
- Give him ample space:
- Smell good at all times:
When he's falling in love, everything is likely to become about her. He can't stop thinking about her and would rather be spending time with her than doing anything else. He may feel scared about the relationship and where it's headed, or he might just have a comfortable feeling about the entire thing.
What are the 5 bonding stages for a man? ›Appreciation, infatuation, attraction, impression, and conviction are the 5 bonding stages for a man.
What are signs of true love between a man a woman? ›The signs of true love in a relationship include security, respect, and understanding. In fact, true love in its real sense involves how you act in a relationship with someone. The signs of true love between a man and a woman are about meeting each other's expectations, respect, and care.
How do you know if a man values you? ›If someone values you, they'll make time and space for you in their life. They'll text you back in a timely fashion. They'll respect you when you're busy or need to rest. Overall, they show up to meetings together on time or close to it (or communicate they'll be late).
What is men's most common love language? ›Men – especially those 45 and over – are much more likely than women to name physical touch as the top way they prefer to receive love. The third-ranked love language is words of affirmation; 19% of Americans choose this as their preferred way to receive love.
What affection means to a man? ›
Affection can mean anything from handholding to lovemaking. In fact, some men can most easily express their feelings during lovemaking. That's because after being intimate they feel as though they've loved you, and often feel loved as well.
What are acts of intimacy? ›Physical intimacy is about touch and closeness between bodies. In a romantic relationship, it might include holding hands, cuddling, kissing, and sex. Your relationship doesn't have to be sexual or romantic to have physical intimacy. A warm, tight hug is an example of physical intimacy with a friend.
How does a man show his love without saying it? ›For example, he holds your hand, has his arms around you, hugs you, always sit close to you, etc. 2- He puts a lot of efforts to make you feel loved. He brings random gifts for you, sings a song for you on a special day, makes time to talk to you anyhow, makes sudden plans, etc. 3- He always listens to you properly.
How does a man treat a woman he loves? ›Show that you are thoughtful and sensitive by listening, contributing and communicating. Respecting her means respecting yourself as well. Respect her dignity. A man who respects his woman would never cheat on her.
Can a guy love you and not show it? ›The reason behind him not expressing his feelings for you could be his apprehension about your reaction, fear of rejection, or just his introverted nature. No matter the reason, if you feel your partner does not express his love, read this post to understand the subtle signs that indicate he loves you.
What do most men love in a woman? ›Men love women who are thoughtful, caring, loving and kind. A woman who does little things for her man for no other reason other than that she loves him. A woman who makes him smile back whenever she smiles at him. A woman who radiates love and warmth from her heart.
What should a man do if he loves you? ›- Treats You With 100% Respect. One of the biggest requirements of a healthy relationship that most people take for granted is respect. ...
- He Will Fight For You. ...
- Won't Care What You Do As Long As You're Together. ...
- He'll Treat Your Family and Friends With Respect.