Say these sweet nothings and he's all yours—all over again.
Praise is crucial in any romantic relationship—yes, even for guys. Though your partner might exude coolness, confidence, and independence, trust me: When he does something right, he definitely wants to hear about it. Whether it's in the bedroom, around the house, or in a social situation, giving recognition where it's due will not only bring you closer to your partner, but will also make him feel more secure in the relationship. That's always a good thing. Ahead, find expert-approved compliments to give your guy that will make him fall for you all over again.
1."I Love The Way You Think"
"Rather than going to war with who is 'right' in the relationship, reward your partner for the way they think and problem solve," suggests Stacy Karyn, online dating consultant. "After all, you are a team, so it's best to start acting like one."
2."You Always Know Exactly What to Say"
"Men want to make things better, solve problems, and make you feel more seen, heard, safe and supported," says Allana Pratt, an intimacy expert and coach. Letting him know he made you feel better with his insightful words is a guaranteed win.
3."You're an Incredible Father"
"Although this compliment often goes to moms, most men take pride in their fathering skills and appreciate the recognition," notes Michelle Afont, relationship expert, divorce attorney and author of the upcoming book The Dang Factor. "Hearing what a great dad he is makes him want to be a an even better dad. Complimenting his nurturing skills and his tenderness with his children will warm your man's heart in all the right places."
4."I Love You Just The Way You Are"
"To be told you are accepted just the way you are is one of the greatest gifts you can receive," says Dr. Beverly Palmer, psychologist and author of Demystifying Love: Strategies for a Successful Love Life, which is why this is such an incredible compliment. "The essence of a lasting love is total acceptance of your partner, with judgment suspended."
5."You're Such A Good Cook!"
"Guys want to know that they are able to contribute and provide for you and, sometimes, they need reassurance that they have," explains Caitlin Bergstein, Boston-based matchmaker with Three Day Rule. "My boyfriend is a great cook and is typically the one to make dinner for us. For two years now, after my first few bites of food he looks at me anxiously and asks if I like it. When I compliment his cooking, he is proud of his accomplishment."
6."Can You Help Me Fix This?"
Yes, really. Showing you trust him to help you with a problem (or literally fix something that is broken) is one of the best ways to show him you trust him without repeating it over and over again. "This might sound weird, but men are natural fixers," says Dr. Ty Belknap, Professional Relationship Coach. "They want to help, so don't be afraid to ask."
7."You're A Great Listener"
"This compliment is twofold," says Justin Lavelle, Chief Communications Officer for Been Verified. "One is just he is good at listening to what you have to say but more importantly it says that he is connecting with you as you need by simply listening to you and not trying to fix you."
8."It's Amazing How Hard You Work"
"Men are bred to build and create," says Stephanie Lee, lifestyle strategist. "Complimenting him on how well he is doing at work or in his career will cause him to swell with pride and increase his desire to work even harder."
9."Your Beard Looks Nice Today"
You can change this one up to be more tailored to your partner, but the key here is to be specific. "Think of something about his physical looks or clothing that you know he likes and tell him how nice it looks," suggests Bergstein. "My boyfriend is very proud of his beard and when he's complimented on it, he lights up and it puts him in a great mood for the rest of the day."
10."I'm Lucky to Have You"
"This little saying can mean a lot to your man," Lavelle says. "It says that he is doing something right in the relationship department," and everyone likes to hear that they're killing it in the romantic arena.
11."Wow, You Really Know Everything About…."
One of the surest ways to a man's heart is to compliment him on a hobby he cares about. "All men know a lot about something, even if it's sports," Belknap says. "You may not like sports, but it certainly won't hurt to compliment him on his knowledge. It will make him feel good, and his buddies will be jealous that he has such a cool partner."
12."That Was So Thoughtful"
It's important to give credit where it's deserved, and you might even notice that he's being thoughtful more often than you expect. "Chances are, he's actually thinking about you all the time, and when you notice he is, it'll reinforce him to keep doing thoughtful things," says Andrea Leiser, Boston matchmaker with Three Day rule. "Plus, you'll feel even stronger in the relationship when you notice how thoughtful he is every day."
13."You Have Such A Good Heart"
"The more people hear things about themselves, the more they become a reality," Karyn says. "And I'm sure we can all agree that this world can sure use a bit more love. By building up your partner and the way they relate to others, you'll be creating a chain reaction of good hearts in the world. What compliment is better than that?"
14."I Loved How You Took The Lead on This"
If he put a lot of time into arranging something, give him a little heads up that you noticed his hard work. "Complimenting his planning skills will encourage him to want to take the lead more often," Afont says. "Men are often hesitant to take the lead in the relationship for fear of backlash for making the 'wrong' choice in a restaurant, hotel, destination, or outing. Although his choice may not have been your choice, you need to appreciate and compliment his effort."
15."You're Sexy"
Simple and deadly effective. "Men are just like women in this regard; they love when you compliment them on their looks," Leiser says. "So if he shaved, got a haircut, or hit the gym, let him know how sexy he looks."
16."You Handled That Really Well"
"Two of a man's inherent needs are to feel admired and respected by his lady," explains Susan Golicic, PhD, a certified relationship coach and co-founder of Uninhibited Wellness "These two are tied to his status with you and make him feel important and a priority in your life."
17."Your Smile Makes Me Melt"
Experts say it's a good idea to keep "dating" your partner long after your relationship is established, and compliments like this one—that you might say to someone on the first few dates—accomplish this effect. "This compliment is also great because it promotes happiness in your relationship," Karyn says. "The more you appreciate each other's smiles, the more good times there are going to be. And, as a bonus non-verbal compliment, make sure to respond to your partner's smiles with your own to spread some extra good vibes."
18."I Feel So Safe With You"
"It is in a man's nature to protect," Lavelle says. "He likes to hear that he is doing a good job by making those people who are in his inner circle feel safe."
19.Laugh at His Jokes
Showing that you love his sense of humor is one of the best ways you can flatter him. "All men are performers," Leiser says. "They need positive reinforcement for when they're trying to entertain you. The ultimate compliment is if you can play into his jokes and laugh together!"
20."You're Totally My Hero"
If he saved the day, give him the props he deserves. "It's not that you can't do what he did," Pratt says. "It's that he did it FOR you. Praise him. Mean it. Say it from your heart. Be a little vulnerable and let him see how his support moves you."
Julia Malacoff