17 Things Men Love to Hear The Most in a Relationship

Make your man feel special with these sweet compliments

Co-authored by John Keegan and Maryana Lucia Vestic, MFA, M.Phil.

Last Updated: July 21, 2025 Fact Checked

Wondering what the man you’re seeing really wants to hear? Don’t try to read his mind for one second longer—instead, keep reading for 17 expert-backed things men love to hear from their partners.

The Top Things Men Love to Hear

“I love you more than you know.”
“I'm so proud of you.”
“You look so handsome today.”
“I appreciate you so much.”
“I believe in you.”

1

“I love you more than you know.”

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Expressing your love for him never stops being crucial. Though you can start with “I love you,” you can find different ways of saying, “I love you” that feel more personal to him. Mentioning specific situations that show why you adore him so much can help keep a man in love with you for a long time.
- “I love how you take time to really focus on me when I’m stressed.”
- “I love you to the moon and back.”
- “I’m happy to be here with you right now.”
- “You really matter to me.”^{[1]
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2

“I’m proud of you.”

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Convey how thrilled you are with who he is. Your positive affirmations let him know it’s ok not to be perfect, while they focus on the best things about him. He’s human like everyone else, and the fact that you choose to love him can make all the difference in the world.
- “I love everything about you.”^{[2]
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- “I see you completely, and love everything I see.”
- “Know that I appreciate you always.”^{[3]
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- “You make me feel safe.”

3

“You look so handsome!”

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Calling a guy handsome makes him feel great about himself. It not only makes a guy feel special, but is also a serious boost to his confidence. Your compliment can improve his mood and can certainly bring the two of you closer together. Compliment his manhood by stating how great he looks every day, from the moment he wakes up to the time he goes to bed.
- “Even when you first wake up, you look so great.”
- “I know you said you were working out, but wow! Look at you.”
- “You’re extra gorgeous when you laugh.”
- “You look so manly today…I love it.”^{[4]
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- Dating coach John Keegan notes other helpful compliments, like “You have great style,” “You’re really eloquent when you talk,” or “You have great ideas.”^{[5]
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4

“You make me feel good.”

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Show how much he meets your desires in the bedroom. Be genuine when speaking about everything from sexual satisfaction to the emotional intimacy he shares. Don’t forget to mention the little ways he makes you happy when you compliment him in bed; those compliments will keep him going strong.
- “I love being wrapped up in your sexy arms.”
- “I adore how gentle you are with me.”
- “You make me weak in the knees every time.”
- “No one has ever turned me on like you do.”^{[6]
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5

“I love how driven you are.”

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Showing respect for a man is another way to show appreciation. Let him know that he’s on the right track in life and that you see how much he cares about what’s important. Make a list of what impresses you about him the most and don’t be shy when reminding him about it.
- “You’re doing the right thing.”
- “You can accomplish whatever you put your mind to.”^{[7]
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- “You’re a good man.”
- “You’re an even better version of yourself every time I see you.”^{[8]
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6

“You’re so unbelievably good to me all the time.”

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Mention how you notice and recognize everything he does. It’s one thing to say “thank you” every time he does something nice for you, but showing how much his efforts mean to you says a lot. Use details when you talk about the little things he does, from doing errands to being supportive.
- “Thank you for driving out of your way to pick up dinner tonight.”
- “Thank you for raking the leaves when you got off work early.”^{[9]
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- “How do you do it all?”^{[10]
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- “There’s nothing you can’t fix, is there?”

7

“All I need is you.”

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Let your guy know how happy he makes you every day. If you want to impress the man you’re with, you can speak up to tell him everything he’s doing right. Remind him how much you miss him when you’re not together, or share that the one thing you need in life is him. Reference a specific situation when he listened to your problems or was super thoughtful when you needed it.
- “I miss you every single day we’re apart.”
- “You are the best husband anyone could ask for.”^{[11]
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- “Thank you for listening to me vent; You’re the best listener I’ve ever known.”
- “Thank you for being so thoughtful. I truly appreciate it.”^{[12]
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8

“I believe in you.”

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They want to know that you believe in them. When it comes to what men want in a woman, they need a support system in their life. In addition to their good friends and family, they depend on their romantic partner’s support. When it comes to their struggles, challenges, goals, or dreams, they need you in their corner cheering them on every step of the way.^{[13]
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- “It’s no surprise that people want to work with you. They trust you and your abilities, as they should. You’re amazing at what you do!”
- “Of course you got the job. You’re talented and hard-working—everyone knows it, especially me.”
- “Look at how much you’ve accomplished in your life already. You’re going to achieve many amazing things because you don’t waste a single opportunity that comes your way.”
- "You've never steered us wrong in the past, and the future looks bright."^{[14]
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9

“Everything will be ok.”

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Let him know you’re by his side no matter what. Whatever he’s going through, show him how impressed you are by his efforts in how he goes about things. Have confidence in his ability to solve any problems he faces and come out the other side victorious.
- “You are so talented and I know you’ll succeed.”
- “We’re gonna be ok, thanks to you.”
- “You’ve got this.”
- "I know you’ll make the right decision.”
EXPERT TIP

Kelli Miller, LCSW, MSW
Psychotherapist
Kelli Miller is a Psychotherapist based in Los Angeles, California. Kelli specializes in individual and couples therapy focusing on relationships, depression, anxiety, sexuality, communication, parenting, and more. She is the author of “Love Hacks: Simple Solutions to Your Most Common Relationship Issues” which details the top 15 relationship issues and 3 quick solutions to each. She is also the award-winning and best-selling author of “Thriving with ADHD”. Kelli co-hosted an advice show on LA Talk Radio and was a relationship expert for The Examiner. She received her MSW (Masters of Social Work) from the University of Pennsylvania and a BA in Sociology/Health from the University of Florida.

Kelli Miller, LCSW, MSW
Psychotherapist

Repeat things back that your partner confides in you about. Reflective listening means you just listen to what the person says and repeat it back. They might say, "I'm really upset with my co-worker." You'd say, "Oh, you're really upset with your co-worker?" It's a good technique that can help them get through.

10

“You’re not like other guys.”

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They want to know that you appreciate who they are. Demonstrate that you respect them personally, especially in connection with what separates them from others. When you accept the unique aspects of the man you’re with, it lets them know that you’re not trying to change who they are. They can try to be the best version of themself with someone like you by their side.
- “You’re such a gentleman.”
- “You’re so incredibly caring to me.”
- “You’re confident enough to know what’s best.”
- "I respect your character.”

11

“What are your thoughts on this?”

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Demonstrate your interest in his opinion. Whether he’s trying to handle a particular issue or just believes strongly about something, he’ll know you respect what he thinks. Asking him what he thinks also shows that you need him, which helps men feel worthy of being in a relationship.
- “You always come up with the best solutions.”
- “I know you can help me through this.”
- “I trust your intuition about what’s right.”
- "Make me feel better about decisions like you always do.”
EXPERT TIP

John Keegan
Dating Coach
John Keegan is a Dating Coach and motivational speaker based in New York City. With over 10 years of professional experience, he runs The Awakened Lifestyle, where he uses his expertise in dating, attraction, and social dynamics to help people find love. He teaches and holds dating workshops internationally, from Los Angeles to London and from Rio de Janeiro to Prague. His work has been featured in the New York Times, Humans of New York, and Men's Health.

John Keegan
Dating Coach

Show him you value him by being a great listener. Make him feel like you really hear him, that you get him, and that you understand him. Really take the time to listen and honor who he is. In a lot of the world, people don't do that for each other, so it's nice when someone does.

12

“You make me so happy.”

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They want to know they can make you happy. It’s important to many men to know that you need them in your life. When you tell a man how much he makes a difference to you, you’re letting him know how much you value him. He’ll feel stronger in who he is as a man when he knows you feel this way within your relationship.
- “My life is so much better with you in it.”
- “Thank you for sacrificing so much for me.”
- “You always look out for me and make sure I’ll be ok.”
- "I’m so blessed to have a man like you in my life.”

13

“We can do it together.”

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Stand by him in both good times and bad. Don’t leave him to struggle with problems he may face or keep your issues to yourself. Let him know you depend on him to help you get what you want. Be confident about all the great things you can obtain when working together as a team.
- “We are a dynamic duo for a reason.”
- “You and I are in this as a team.”
- “We stand united and will succeed!”
- "We’re stronger together.”

14

“I’m sorry.”

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Admit when you know you’re wrong. Being stubborn can hurt a man’s feelings, especially when you do so on purpose. By apologizing for your wrongdoing, you let him know that you’re both equally important in your relationship no matter what.
- “You were absolutely right about that.”
- “I apologize for my reactions.”
- “I very much regret what I said.”
- "Please forgive me.”

15

“I trust you.”

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Make sure he’s aware of how much confidence you have in him. It matters to him what you think about his wants, desires, and goals. If you have faith in him, telling him you trust his ability to lead is one of those things guys love but won’t admit that’s worth doing.
- “I have the utmost faith in you.”
- “My confidence belongs to you.”
- “You’re the one I’ll rely on.”
- "I’m always banking on you.”

16

“Have a great time with your friends.”

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Offer him the freedom to celebrate good times with his good friends. When he knows you support any activities that make him happy, he’ll know you truly love him. Show excitement when he heads out to be with friends so he’ll look forward to coming home to you.
- “Make a memorable night with your crew.”
- “It’s party time for you and the boys.”
- “Live it up with your pals.”
- "Have a good hang out session with your buddies.”

17

“You’re so sexy to me.”

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Men want to know that you find them sexually attractive. Feeling confident about yourself is an important part of being in a romantic relationship. When a man’s partner tells them how good-looking, strong, or charismatic they are, it can boost confidence. Men will not only feel good about themselves but also know they’re appreciated by you, as well.^{[15]
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- “You’re so hot.”
- “You drive me wild.”
- “You are one smokin’ dude.”
- "I find you so attractive.”