9 things you’re doing that could hurt your partner, depending on their love language

There’s a thin line between loving your partner and unintentionally hurting them.

The difference often lies in understanding. Specifically, understanding your partner’s love language.

You see, we all express and receive love differently. Your actions, no matter how well-intentioned, could potentially hurt your partner if they don’t align with their love language.

As someone who’s been through this, I’ve learned some hard truths. There are certain behaviours we may not realize are causing harm.

So, let’s dive in. Here are 9 things you’re doing that could hurt your partner, depending on their love language.

1) Assuming your love language is universal

We all have our unique ways of expressing and receiving love. It’s what Gary Chapman refers to as our “love language” in his groundbreaking book, The 5 Love Languages.

Just like we each have our native tongue, we also have a specific love language that resonates with us. It could be acts of service, quality time, words of affirmation, physical touch, or receiving gifts.

Here’s where many of us stumble. We often assume that the way we receive love is the same way our partner does.

But the truth is, it’s not always the case.

Your acts of service might not mean as much to a partner who craves words of affirmation. Or your thoughtful gifts might fall flat for someone who values quality time above all else.

So, before you make assumptions, take time to understand your partner’s love language. It can save you from causing unintended hurt and help you communicate love more effectively.

2) Not making time for quality conversations

Quality time is one of the love languages that stands out in Chapman’s book. It involves giving your partner undivided attention, and it’s not just about spending time together, but making that time count.

This is where I messed up in my past relationship.

I’m a busy person, always juggling work, hobbies, and social life. And I thought that as long as I was physically present with my partner, it counted as quality time.

But I was wrong.

I used to bring my work home, sit on the couch with my laptop while my partner was there. I thought I was spending quality time with her, but in reality, I was just sharing physical space.

My partner’s primary love language was quality time. And she didn’t just need me to be physically present; she craved deep conversations, shared experiences, and my undivided attention.

When I finally understood this, I realized how my actions were unintentionally hurting her. My well-intentioned presence wasn’t enough; she needed my attention and engagement.

So, if your partner’s love language is quality time, make sure you’re not just there physically but also emotionally and mentally. It makes all the difference.

3) Underestimating the power of verbal affirmation

In a world where actions are often touted as speaking louder than words, it’s easy to neglect the power of spoken affirmation.

Individuals whose primary love language is words of affirmation, your heartfelt compliments and encouraging words can be just as valuable, if not more so, than any gift or act of service.

So, if you’re sparing with your words or tend to express your love more through actions, you might unintentionally be causing hurt to a partner who craves verbal affirmation. 

Speak up and let them know how much they mean to you. It could make a world of difference in your relationship.

4) Neglecting small acts of service

In relationships, it’s easy to focus on the big gestures – the surprise vacations, the expensive gifts. But for someone whose primary love language is acts of service, it’s the little things that count.

The everyday chores you take off their plate or the small favours you do to make their day smoother can mean the world to them.

On the flip side, neglecting these small acts of service can lead to feelings of being unloved or uncared for.

So, if your partner values acts of service highly, ensure you’re not overlooking these small but significant gestures. They could be the key to making your partner feel truly loved and appreciated.

5) Overlooking the importance of physical touch

Physical touch, as a love language, isn’t just about intimacy. It’s about any form of touch that shows love and affection – a pat on the back, a warm hug, holding hands, a reassuring touch on the arm.

For someone whose primary love language is physical touch, these gestures can convey volumes about your love and care for them. They can feel more connected and secure in your relationship through this non-verbal communication.

However, if you’re not naturally a ‘touchy’ person or if you tend to express your love through other ways, you might inadvertently neglect this aspect of your relationship.

And this could lead to your partner feeling unloved or distant from you.

So remember, if your partner values physical touch, make an effort to incorporate more of it into your daily interactions. It’s a simple yet powerful way to express your affection.

6) Forgetting to give meaningful gifts

For those whose primary love language is receiving gifts, a meaningful present is a visual representation of your love. It’s something they can hold onto and cherish, a reminder that you care for them and have them in your thoughts.

I’ve seen relationships where this aspect was overlooked. A birthday or anniversary would come by, and one partner would simply forget or opt for a last-minute, thoughtless gift.

It’s not about the price tag on the gift; it’s about what that gift represents.

Neglecting this can unintentionally make your partner feel unappreciated or even unloved.

If your partner values receiving gifts, remember to put thought into your presents. It could be as simple as picking wildflowers on your walk home or buying them a book by their favourite author. These small tokens of affection will mean the world to them.

7) Being inconsistent with your love language

Consistency is key in expressing love languages. It’s not enough to speak your partner’s love language once in a while; it needs to be a regular part of your relationship.

This is something I’ve struggled with in my own relationships.

I’m a natural at words of affirmation. I find it easy to express my feelings and appreciation through words. However, my partner’s love language was acts of service, and I would often forget to show my love in this way.

I’d make her breakfast in bed one day, then get caught up in my work and neglect this aspect for weeks. My inconsistency made her feel unsure of my feelings for her.

It’s important to understand that speaking your partner’s love language must be a consistent effort. Occasional gestures can be overshadowed by long periods of neglect.

If you want to avoid hurting your partner, make sure you’re consistently speaking their love language. It’s the steady stream of love and care that builds a strong, fulfilling relationship.

8) Failing to recognize shifts in love languages

Love languages aren’t set in stone. They can shift and evolve over time, with changing circumstances and stages of life.

For instance, a new parent may value acts of service more than they did before, given their increased responsibilities. Or someone going through a tough time might need more words of affirmation to help them cope.

If you fail to recognize these shifts and continue expressing love in the same way you always have, your partner may feel misunderstood or neglected.

It’s crucial to keep communication lines open and regularly check in with your partner about how they feel loved. This can help you adapt to any changes and continue meeting their emotional needs effectively.

By staying aware and flexible, you can ensure your expressions of love align with your partner’s evolving needs and prevent any unintentional hurt.

9) Ignoring the importance of understanding your own love language

In the quest to understand and cater to our partner’s love language, we sometimes forget to understand our own.

Knowing how you receive love is just as important as knowing how your partner does. It helps you communicate your needs clearly, preventing feelings of resentment or feeling unloved.

If you’re always expressing love in your partner’s language but not receiving love in your own, it can lead to an imbalance in the relationship.

Take the time to understand your own love language. Express your needs clearly to your partner. This mutual understanding of each other’s emotional needs can make for a more balanced and fulfilling relationship.

Final thoughts: It’s all about empathy

Understanding and applying love languages in a relationship is fundamentally an exercise in empathy. It’s about understanding the emotional needs of your partner and responding to them in a way that resonates with them.

That’s what empathy does. It makes us feel seen, heard, and loved.

So, whether it’s words of affirmation, acts of service, receiving gifts, quality time, or physical touch, recognizing these love languages is all about showing empathy to your partner.

In doing so, you’re not only avoiding potential hurt but also deepening your bond and nurturing a relationship of mutual understanding and respect.

And isn’t that what we all strive for in our relationships? To feel understood and loved for who we are? To be able to communicate our love effectively?

Empathy is the cornerstone of any successful relationship. And understanding love languages is a powerful tool in fostering that empathy. So delve deeper into these languages of love, understand your partner better and create a more fulfilling relationship.