Feb 11, 2024

5 Types Of Compliments That Melt A Man’s Heart

Men need compliments too.

And yet, most men were more-likely-than-not raised in a way where they were fairly compliment starved.

Think about it…

It’s easy to imagine a woman complimenting another woman.

It’s also easy to imagine a man complimenting a woman.

But when we do an honest audit of the TV and movies we consume… and of the day to day interactions that we witness and engage in… women (or men) genuinely complimenting men is more the exception than the rule.

So today, I’m going to dive into five types of compliments that melt a man’s heart.

These types of compliments are primarily meant for women who are in romantic relationships with men. Some of these compliments could translate for a male friend to say them, but in this article, the focus is on compliments that are meant for a woman to say to a male significant other.

Alright, let’s get into it!

5 Types Of Compliments That Melt A Man’s Heart

1. Compliments about his body/appearance

While women definitely get the lion’s share of conditioning about their physical appearance mattering a lot, that doesn’t mean that they’re the only ones who like to be acknowledged for their body/appearance/more superficial traits.

Men absolutely benefit from body/appearance-based compliments just as much.

Not so sure? Try saying a few of the following (whichever you most believe/feel about your unique man) and watch him light up like a Christmas tree!

– ‘You are so handsome.’

– ‘You have the most beautiful eyes.’

– ‘You have such a kind smile.’

– ‘I love your hair.’

– ‘You are so sexy.’

– ‘I love the way you smell.’

– ‘I love that outfit on you!’

– ‘You are the best natural smelling man in the whole world.’

– ‘I love your face so much.’

– ‘You have the sexiest hands.’

– ‘Your arms are looking extra big lately!’

– ‘Wow… you weren’t kidding when you said you had been working out. Look at you!’

2. Compliments that tell him that you believe in him

Life can feel like a never-ending gauntlet of challenges for a man who’s up to big things in the world.

Compliments that tell him that you believe in him can really go a long way to filling up his love-cup.

Regardless of whether or not your man is in an especially daunting season of difficulties, try out a few of the following and take note of how he responds to them.

– ‘I believe in you so much.’

– ‘It is so easy to believe in you.’

– ‘I chose a really good man.’

– ‘I never doubt you for a second.’

– ‘I know that you can do this.’

– ‘You’ve done hard things before and persevered. You’ll make it through this too.’

– ‘I love watching you show up in life with so much courage. It is so easy to be your cheerleader.’

3. Compliments that champion his efforts

In terms of love languages, many men default towards acts of service as the primary way that they show love to their significant others. For example, taking out the trash, doing small home repairs, and doing the dishes after dinner’s done.

While it would be easy to take any and all acts of service for granted (after all, these are just part of adult life), it’s always nice to have our efforts acknowledged by our partners.

And… you don’t just have to compliment his domestic service. You can praise him for effort you see him deploying in any area of his life.

Try out some of the following, and see if he responds especially powerfully to any of them.

– ‘Thank you for taking out the garbage. I really appreciate it.’

– ‘Thank you for fixing the squeaky door! I feel grateful and relieved every time I use it and it no longer makes a sound.’

– ‘You have really been putting in a lot of extra time at work lately. Thank you for providing so well for us.’

– ‘Thank you for doing the dishes, my love. It is really helpful.’

– ‘I love watching you work.’

– ‘You are so good to me. I couldn’t have asked for a better boyfriend/husband/partner.’

– ‘I love seeing you play with the kids. I can tell how much they love wrestling with you.’

– ‘Thank you for mowing the lawn. It feels so much better out there now.’

– ‘This was such a lovely date. Thank you for organizing this for us. I feel very loved.’

4. Compliments that show that you respect him

Many women have heard that men would rather feel respected than loved. I say… why not both?

Love him up by acknowledging how much you love and respect him.

Try on some of the following for size:

– ‘I’m so proud to be your wife/girlfriend/partner.’

– ‘You’re such a good man.’

– ‘I have so much respect for the way that you move through the world.’

– ‘It took a lot of courage to admit that you were wrong/apologize/have that tough conversation back there… I really admire that you were able to do that. It was very attractive.’

– ‘I love how considerate you are with my friends/parents/co-workers. You are so aware of other people and I really appreciate it.’

5. Compliments that show that you trust him 

Let him know that you see him and that you trust his way of being in the world by saying a few of the following:

– ‘I trust you.’

– ‘I would follow you anywhere.’

– ‘I’m on your team.’

– ‘You’ve never steered us wrong in the past.’

– ‘I’m on your side.’

– ‘I don’t mind where we go for dinner tonight. Whatever you think is best.’

Iterate, Calibrate, And Make Them Your Own

Remember that these compliments aren’t just about ego-stroking – they should only ever come from a place of genuine love and appreciation for your partner.

Don’t feel like you need to exaggerate, or lay it on overly thick. Instead, find the perfect compliment that makes sense and feels genuine to you in your relationship.

And if you and your partner haven’t been overly praise and acknowledgment oriented over the years, you might want to start slowly by introducing these compliments bit by bit. Better to introduce it in a drip-feed kind of way, than to go from 0 to 100 overnight and have it feel too out of character.

Often men who are doing a great job don’t even feel like they’re doing a good job, so these compliments can be more valuable than you know to make your partner feel safe, seen, and loved in your relationship.

Three cheers for intentional loving!

Dedicated to your success,

Jordan

Ps. If you enjoyed this article, you’ll also love checking out:

4 Man-Melting Phrases That Make Him Fall In Love

4 Things To Never Say To A Man

Inside The Male Mind (video course for women, on how to drastically improve your relationships with the men in your life)

Jordan Gray
About Jordan Gray

Jordan Gray has been a sex and relationship coach for over 15+ years, with his work reaching over 200 million people worldwide. His writing has been featured in Vogue, GQ, The New York Times, Cosmopolitan, Women’s Health, and countless other publications around the world. When he’s not working with 1-on-1 coaching clients or writing a new article, he’s most likely to be found reading, chopping wood, or spending time with his wife on a little island off the west coast of Canada.

Blog

Related

See All
Radical Acceptance: How To Live And Love With Greater Ease
May 2, 2017
Jordan Gray
Radical Acceptance: How To Live And Love With Greater Ease
Do you think that you would be happier if your partner would just change a few, little things about themselves? Like if they put in a bit more effort. Or if they listened to you better. Or if they stopped wearing those stupid looking socks. Or maybe you would feel happier if you were just a little bit...
Continue Reading
7 Things All Women Need In A Relationship
Dec 9, 2013
Jordan Gray
7 Things All Women Need In A Relationship
When it comes to what women need in a relationship, men and women are at an emotional stalemate. We feel something lacking in our relationships. The majority of modern men aren't able to penetrate their women fully, nor are women fully opening to their men. Women aren't opening because men aren't giving...
Continue Reading
The Benefits Of Entrepreneur / Entrepreneur Relationships
Oct 24, 2015
Jordan Gray
The Benefits Of Entrepreneur / Entrepreneur Relationships
I've written in the past about the best type of intimate partner for an entrepreneur, and things that driven people need in their love lives, but what about when both of the people in the relationship are entrepreneurs and/or self-employed? I get this question quite regularly so I thought I would...
Continue Reading
Stop Lying To Yourself
Aug 18, 2017
Jordan Gray
Stop Lying To Yourself
If “the truth shall set you free”, then lying to yourself will imprison you. Adults are phenomenally adept at avoiding the truth. In fact, most of society (and the majority of social interactions in general) are founded on overt and covert lies. Enabling. Half-truths. White-lies. Whatever you want...
Continue Reading
How A Small Act Of Love Saved A Life
Dec 21, 2018
Jordan Gray
How A Small Act Of Love Saved A Life
Kelly woke up just as angry as she had been when she fell asleep. She rolled over and, letting out a sigh of relief, felt glad that her husband had already gotten up. Honestly, she didn’t want to see his face right now. Putting on her favourite pink slippers, she made her way downstairs...
Continue Reading
You Are Allowed To Want What You Want
Nov 12, 2016
Jordan Gray
You Are Allowed To Want What You Want
Repeat after me… “I am allowed to want what I want.” Say it out loud. Don’t worry… I’ll wait. “I am allowed to want what I want.” Done? How did that feel? If you’re like most people, there’s probably a combination of a little bit of fear/nervousness, mixed in with a deep sense of peace and calm. It...
Continue Reading