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Whether you're just starting out or have been in a relationship for years, the right words can make her feel truly special. If you're seeking the best ways to express your care and affection, you're in the right place! We've gathered a list of 60 things that women love to hear to help you show your partner how much she means to you. This guide will help you make her feel cherished, understood, and adored.
This article is based on insights from our expert dating coach and matchmaker, Laura Bilotta. Read the full interview here.
Key Insights to Remember
- Make sure she knows you value her beyond her appearance, from her wit and kindness to her intellect and creativity.
- Compliment her beauty, but be original—don't wait for a special occasion. Let her know how stunning she looks even when you're both in your loungewear watching TV.
- Discuss your future together, assuring her you're committed to the long-term relationship.
- If she's having a tough day, show empathy and ask how you can be there for her.
Recommended Steps
“You’re incredibly smart.”
Compliment her intellect. While many people tend to compliment their partners, particularly women, on their looks, it's equally important to acknowledge the less visible aspects of her character, such as her sharp mind.
- “I’m amazed you knew the answer to that Jeopardy! question! You're a true genius!”
- “You’re so incredibly intelligent.”
- “You have such a clever mind and always notice things others miss.”
“You’re a creative mastermind.”
Admire her creativity. Just as you appreciate her intellect, it's essential to recognize the value of her creativity. Make her feel seen and admired for her imaginative abilities.
- “How did you even come up with that idea? I would have never thought of it!”
- “Your imagination is absolutely wild!”
- “I’ve never met anyone with such a vivid imagination like yours.”
“You’re hilarious.”
Appreciate her sense of humor. To make your partner feel special, let her know how much you enjoy her wit. She likely loves making you laugh—acknowledge how much you value it!
- “Your comedic timing is flawless.”
- “You make me laugh so hard, my cheeks hurt.”
- “Your Jennifer Coolidge impersonation always cracks me up!”
“Your eyes sparkle like stars.”
Compliment her appearance. Be specific and imaginative. Research shows that women enjoy receiving compliments about their looks, especially when expressed through metaphor, though a classic compliment like “You’re beautiful” works well too.
- Make sure to appreciate her beauty whether she’s dressed for a night out or simply relaxing in pajamas at home.
- “Your hands are as graceful as doves.”
- “Your cheeks remind me of fresh apples.”
- “You are absolutely breathtaking.”
“I saw that O’Keeffe painting you love at the gallery and thought of you!”
Show her she’s in your thoughts, even when apart. Do certain sights or objects make you think of her? Or perhaps you encounter something you know she would enjoy? Let her know she’s on your mind, even when you're not together.
- “I saw Snickers at the store and thought of you, so I grabbed one for you.”
- “I visited that café you mentioned, and you were right—it’s fantastic!”
- “I heard ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’ on the radio and it instantly reminded me of you.”
“I love you just the way you are.”
If she’s feeling insecure, remind her she’s perfect as she is. Whether she’s shaken by a mistake that dented her confidence, struggles with accepting her flaws as a perfectionist, or is simply going through a tough time, reassure her that you love her just the way she is.
- “Don’t stress about it. I love you for exactly who you are.”
- “I think you’re perfect, even when you don’t believe it yourself!”
- “I know you’re feeling anxious about this, but it’s really no big deal. I didn’t even notice!”
“I’ve never experienced this kind of feeling before.”
Be open about how you feel. While showing affection is essential, it’s also important to express it directly from time to time. Share your feelings during expected moments, like when saying goodnight, and even spontaneously, like when you’re relaxing together watching The Mary Tyler Moore Show. What matters most is sincerity.
- “No one has ever brought me this kind of happiness.”
- “I’m so thankful to have you in my life.”
- “I love you more than words can express.”
“I can't believe I hadn't watched Frasier before meeting you!”
Let her know how she has made your life better. Whether she’s introduced you to new books, TV shows, or simply had a positive impact on your mood and self-image, show her your gratitude.
- “This is the healthiest relationship I’ve ever been in!”
- “Ilya Kaminsky’s poetry has truly changed my life, and I owe it to you for introducing me to it!”
- “Since we’ve been together, I feel so much better about myself.”
“I’m taking you out on Saturday night.”
Keep the romance alive with regular dates. While the early stages of a relationship may be full of excitement, flirtation, and memorable nights out, it’s easy to forget about the importance of dates once you’ve settled in. Keep the spark alive by prioritizing regular outings.
- “Put on your dancing shoes! We’re hitting the club tonight.”
- “There’s a new Thai restaurant in town! Let’s go give it a try.”
- “How about a weekend getaway to a cozy bed-and-breakfast?”
“What did you think of that film?”
Seek her opinion to show that you value her thoughts. While directly complimenting her intellect or creativity is wonderful, asking for her opinion in everyday situations demonstrates that you value her perspective. Whether it’s about a movie you watched, a dessert you shared, or more serious matters like politics or a job offer, her feedback matters to you.
- “I haven’t listened to their music yet—should I? What do you think?”
- “I got a job offer, but I’m unsure about it. What’s your advice?”
- “I’m considering voting for her in the election, but I’m still on the fence. What’s your take?”
“I’m feeling…”
Open up about your feelings. What you share doesn’t have to directly relate to her or the relationship, though it can. Clear communication is the foundation of any healthy relationship. Men, in particular, may find it challenging to express emotions, so if you're a man, she will value hearing how you’re doing—whether you’re stressed from work, upset about something that happened, or simply happy because it’s the weekend.
- “I’m feeling so overwhelmed with work this week. I could really use a break.”
- “I know you didn’t mean any harm, but I felt hurt when you laughed at me earlier. Can we talk about it?”
- “The weather’s amazing today! I’m in such a great mood!”
“I’m always here for you.”
Reassure her of your support, no matter what. This will mean a lot to her, especially when she’s going through tough times—but it’s also valuable even when things are good. You can couple your words with a hug or a gentle kiss on the cheek to emphasize your commitment.
- “I won’t ever let you down!”
- “I’m here for you, always.”
- “Whenever you need me, I’ve got your back.”
“How was work today?”
Inquire about her day. She’ll feel truly heard and valued when you ask her in-depth questions about her emotions or how her day unfolded. Don’t just ask—take the time to listen while she shares. She’ll appreciate this gesture regardless of the situation, but it will mean even more when she's having a tough day and needs someone to talk to.
- “How did the big presentation go?”
- “Are your allergies giving you trouble again?”
- “You’ve been quiet. Is everything OK?”
“I was wrong, and I’m sorry.”
Own up when you’ve made a mistake. Alright, maybe women don’t exactly love hearing this—but there are moments when it’s absolutely necessary. When you’ve messed up, the best thing you can do is apologize, see if she’s ready to talk about it, and ask what you can do to make things right.
- “I thought I was doing the right thing, but I see now I wasn’t. I truly hope you can forgive me.”
- “Would you like to talk about it more?”
- “How can I make this up to you?”
“You really know how to turn me on.”
Let her know you enjoy the physical connection between you. If you’re intimate with her, make sure she knows how much you appreciate the experience. Whether you’re being romantic or getting more explicit, let her know exactly what she does that excites you.
- “When you bite your lip, it drives me wild.”
- “Last night was incredible. I can’t stop thinking about it.”
- “I feel so connected to you when we’re together.”
Engage in the conversation...
I’m chatting with a girl from class and I want to give her a compliment that makes her feel great about herself without being too forward or awkward. I also want to hint that I like her but in a subtle way. What are some tips for complimenting girls in person or through text? What are your favorite compliments to give?
Imad Jbara
Dating Coach
Dating Coach
I believe the best compliments you can give a girl are about her character or intellect. For example, if she’s texting and making you laugh with her humor, compliment her wit. Compliment her personality because that’s far more meaningful than just talking about her looks. Of course, everyone enjoys compliments about their appearance, but if she hears them all the time, they can lose their impact. Instead, praise her smarts, her creativity, how cool, adventurous, or spontaneous she is.
From my experience, girls tend to appreciate compliments on things they’ve worked hard for. For example, I once dated a girl working on her PhD. I took the time to understand her research and thesis, and I complimented her on her dedication. It was clear that those compliments made a lasting impression. While she was beautiful and I also complimented her on her appearance, it was the praise for her hard work that meant the most to her.
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