A signal that reaches the other person directlyHow they want to receive love: Words of affirmation
SLUEI → SLUAN
A signal that reaches the other person directly
SLUAN → SLUEI
A signal that reaches the other person directly
How they want to receive love
They want different signalsPhysical touch · Words of affirmation
Comparison by type
The love expressions you each want
The two codes' expressions overlap in both directions. Ask each other directly which expressions are actually welcome.
SLUEI→SLUAN
A signal that reaches the other person directly
In the code data, SLUEI's Words of affirmation expression overlaps with SLUAN's receiving expression.
SLUAN→SLUEI
A signal that reaches the other person directly
In the code data, SLUAN's Physical touch expression overlaps with SLUEI's receiving expression.
One move today
If you both agree, try having type SLUEI express affection through ‘Words of affirmation’ and type SLUAN through ‘Physical touch’, then ask each other how it felt.
Love language
Our map of love signals
The giving and receiving expressions assigned to each type code are shown side by side. Use them to start asking each other which words and actions are actually welcome.
Love language
SLUEI
SLUAN
Quality time
—
—
Words of affirmation
Gives
Wants
Physical touch
GivesWants
Gives
Acts of service
—
—
Receiving gifts
—
Gives
Where you meet
In the code data, SLUEI's Words of affirmation expression overlaps with SLUAN's receiving expression.
In the code data, SLUAN's Physical touch expression overlaps with SLUEI's receiving expression.
Love language
Five situations for expressing affection
A personality profile is only a conversation starter. Ask each other which expressions you actually like and confirm them together.
01
An invitation to open up
1Propose
2Choose together
3Make the next plan
SLUEI → SLUAN · Words of affirmation
Familiar expression
SLUEI tells SLUAN why the invitation matters: ‘I love hearing what has been on your mind. Could we make a little time for just us this week?’
SLUAN → SLUEI · Physical touch
Familiar expression
SLUAN asks SLUEI before any contact: ‘Would you like to hold hands while we walk?’ Welcome a no without pressure, and if they say yes, stop immediately whenever they ask.
What is one thing you would enjoy doing together this week?
02
Beside you on a hard day
1Ask what helps
2Choose the support
3Confirm understanding
SLUEI → SLUAN · Words of affirmation
Familiar expression
SLUEI names what SLUAN has carried: ‘You worked hard just getting through that today. I want you to know I am on your side before we look for answers.’
SLUAN → SLUEI · Physical touch
Familiar expression
SLUAN asks SLUEI, ‘Would a hug help, or would space feel better?’ Accept no with ease, and even after a yes, stop immediately if they signal that they want you to stop.
Would listening, solving one thing together, or giving you room feel best right now?
03
Checking before getting closer
1Ask clearly
2Wait for explicit yes
3Stop when asked
SLUEI → SLUAN · Words of affirmation
Familiar expression
SLUEI asks SLUAN which affectionate words feel comfortable and which feel like pressure. Confirm, ‘Is it okay if I often say I like you? Please tell me whenever it feels uncomfortable.’
SLUAN → SLUEI · Physical touch
Familiar expression
SLUAN names the exact kind and location of the touch and asks SLUEI, ‘May I hug you now?’ Do nothing without a clear yes, accept no without pressure, and stop immediately at any point they ask.
What kind of closeness feels good today, and what do you not want?
04
Mending after a miss
1State the facts
2Name the impact
3Choose the next action
SLUEI → SLUAN · Words of affirmation
Familiar expression
SLUEI acknowledges the impact on SLUAN before offering excuses: ‘I missed our agreed time, and that made you feel unimportant. I am sorry; next time I will message before I am late.’
SLUAN → SLUEI · Physical touch
Familiar expression
SLUAN does not assume SLUEI wants a make-up hug and asks, ‘Would holding hands feel okay now?’ Accept no without pressure, and after a yes, stop immediately whenever they ask.
What happened, how did it affect us, and what will we do differently next time?
05
Drawing the next chapter
1Share wishes
2Agree on roles
3Revisit together
SLUEI → SLUAN · Words of affirmation
Familiar expression
SLUEI and SLUAN each choose one sentence they would like to hear more often. ‘It helps when you notice my effort’ gives the other something real to try and revisit next month.
SLUAN → SLUEI · Physical touch
Familiar expression
SLUAN asks SLUEI which kinds of affection may feel comfortable in the future and which touch to avoid. Agree to ask every time, respect no, and stop immediately whenever either person changes their mind.
What future do we each want, how will we share the roles, and when will we revisit the plan?
Love language
A conversation about fitting your lives together
Personality types can start a conversation; the two of you decide how daily life works. Open a topic and compare your real answers.
01Money and gifts
Ask each other
When would you split a date equally, and when would each pay for what they ordered?
Check pressure and boundaries
What spending or gift price would feel burdensome, and is a return gift ever expected?
Try one agreement
Before the next date, agree on a comfortable budget and how you will pay.
02Friends and time alone
Ask each other
How much time with friends, together, and alone feels comfortable in a typical week?
Check pressure and boundaries
Can either person decline a friend gathering or the publication of a photo of you together without pressure?
Try one agreement
Protect one block of personal time each and decide how to flag schedule conflicts.
03Daily tasks and care
Ask each other
Which recurring task would each of you like to take on, and which feels hard?
Check pressure and boundaries
What sign would tell you the split has become unfair or exhausting?
Try one agreement
Choose one task to divide this week, then check the workload together next week.
04The pace of future plans
Ask each other
Which next step, travel, living together, or a longer plan, would you like to discuss now?
Check pressure and boundaries
Which decision are you not ready for or do not want?
Try one agreement
Without rushing a decision, choose when to revisit the conversation and what to ask then.
Love notes for both types
01
How they show love
SLUEIIdea Generator
You show love by sharing what excites you. You eagerly tell your partner about whatever has captured your attention, and when they share that excitement with you, you feel close to them. Starting something new together makes you feel affectionate, and you often enjoy making the plan more than carrying it out.
SLUANThe Person of Conviction
You express love intensely. When someone interests you, you do not hide it and quickly become deeply involved in their life. Relationships without much passion do not interest you. You open your heart to someone who can pursue something wholeheartedly with you and share its emotional ups and downs.
02
What they need
SLUEIIdea Generator
More than someone who matches your speed, you need someone who stays beside you so your direction is not lost when you scatter. A partner who listens to your ideas without judging them, and who does not let go of the relationship in the stretches when you are running on empty. And someone who does not read your changeability as a character flaw.
SLUANThe Person of Conviction
You need a partner who respects your energy and your direction. A partner who sees you as someone “to be corrected”, or expects you to become milder or more considerate, burns the relationship out fast. What lasts is a relationship with someone who is not afraid of your intensity and in fact finds it interesting, someone with a fairly independent and strong self of their own.
03
How closeness unfolds
SLUEIIdea Generator
Your immersion at the start is very high. You explore your partner like a new world and pour all your energy in. Once that exploration is done the same intensity does not come out, and a stretch arrives in which they feel you have cooled. If you keep making large promises and failing to follow through, it can spread into a question of trust.
SLUANThe Person of Conviction
You start fast and hot. You are often ahead of the speed they can follow. When the relationship quietens you read that calm as cooling, and sometimes you are the one to put distance first. In conflict you do not retreat and go straight at it, so sometimes they are startled by that intensity and the relationship as a whole starts to feel heavy to them.
04
What to mind in the relationship
SLUEIIdea Generator
It matters to tell your partner when you feel energized and when you feel tired. Saying honestly, ‘I have been worn out lately,’ helps protect the relationship.
It also helps to create a few steady habits together, such as a regular time to talk or a routine you share. Small repetitions like these can bring stability rather than boredom. Learning that creativity and stability can exist together is part of your growth in love.
SLUANThe Person of Conviction
Your partner needs to know that your intensity is interest, not an attack. A forceful tone means that you take the relationship seriously.
Even so, there is something for you to work on: try saying the same thing in a lower voice and notice that your feelings still come across when you speak less forcefully.
05
What triggers the guard
SLUEIIdea Generator
A reaction rises when all that is asked of you is the same routine over and over, and when an idea is cut down as unrealistic. In particular the line “here we go again” makes you close off the interest itself.
SLUANThe Person of Conviction
Your guard rises when you feel controlled and when your judgment is treated lightly. In particular “calm down a bit” does not settle the feeling at all; it makes you weigh the entire relationship again.
06
How distance shows up
SLUEIIdea Generator
You do not get angry; your attention moves elsewhere. You talk less, you become absorbed in a new subject, and the energy you were spending on the relationship quietly leaks away. Your partner feels there is no conflict when in fact you are already leaving.
SLUANThe Person of Conviction
It shows immediately. Your face and tone change first, and if it comes to it you will put the whole future of the relationship on the table right there. Looking back later you realize that what you actually wanted to say in that moment was far simpler.
07
What brings them back
SLUEIIdea Generator
You come back when the two of you start something interesting again. A light new plan revives things better than a heavy conversation. Once it is sorted, you explain with unexpected precision why you drifted in the first place.
SLUANThe Person of Conviction
You recover when they do not retreat and stay where they are. That stance of “even so, I'm here” works far more powerfully than an apology. Once recovered, you are usually the one who throws out the first joke to bring the air back.