MBTI Types Say ‘I Love You’ (A guide on what they mean)

In this blog post, let us unravel the answer to how different MBTI personality types say ‘I love you’ and what they mean by it.

MBTI stands for Myer-Briggs Type Indicator that is a widely used tool to determine personality type of a person. The Myers-Briggs theory of personality, is a theory drawn from the theory of psychological types proposed by humanitarian psychologist Carl Yung. These personality types are structured around as reference points to understand unique personalities. These types fall into four key dimensions that can be used to categorize people into 16 types.

When MBTI Types Say ‘I Love You’

People fall in love for different reasons and express their love in their own time. For all 16 different types of the MBTI personalities, love takes different sense and meaning. For instance, when the type INTP expresses their love, the underlying meaning is that they are willing to commit to you and understand you better every day.

MBTI Personality Types

As mentioned earlier, there are 16 types that is categorized by the MBTI determined by 4 dimensions as mentioned below:

Introversion vs. Extraversion (I/E)

This function indicates the source and energy of a person’s energy expression. An extravert derives their energy mainly from the external world, while the introverts mainly from their own internal world.

Sensing vs. Intuition (S/N)

This function indicates the way through which an individual perceives and processes information. A person with sensing dominance is more likely to rely on information they receive from the outside world that is tangible and concrete. A person with a dominant intuitive function tends to rely on information from their own internal and abstract world which holds meaning of the underlying theory and principles.

Thinking vs. Feeling (T/F)

This function represents the process of decision-making of individuals. Thinking function indicates that an individual makes decisions based on logic and rationale while Feeling function indicates that an individual bases their decision on emotions.

Judging vs. Perceiving (J/P)

This function represents the way in which an individual implements or relates to the information processed in the context of the outside world. The Judging function indicates how organized one keeps their life while the perception function indicates how explorative and improvising an individual can be in life.

These dimensions are a dichotomy giving rise to preferences or a style that an individual chooses. These combined four dimensions create a 16-broad spectrum of predictable patterns consisting of thoughts and behaviours. The 16 different types of personalities as indicated below:

MBTI Types Say ‘I Love You’: What do they mean?

Each MBTI type has its own unique set of characteristics that let them perceive, interact and experience the world. Given that, each type also has its own meaning and sense to what and how they experience love. The way they give and receive love largely varies on the way they make decisions and how they perceive and process information. Let us take a look at what love means to each type briefly and how they express their love.

ISTJ – Introverted Sensing Thinking Judging

ISTJs are significantly reliable which often reflects clearly in their relationships through strong commitments from their side. They approach relationships logically, looking for practical compatibility and mutual satisfaction. They naturally look for long-term relationships that are stable, hence when they say ‘I love you’, they mean that their partner can rely on them and their commitment, come anything or high water.

ESTJ – Extraverted Sensing Thinking Judging

ESTJs have a centralized focus for tradition, order and continuity. They have a natural need for belonging and promote familial values. Hence, ESTJs are extremely invested in the well being of their loved ones. When they say ‘I love you’, they mean to provide and take care of their partner even before a need arises.

ISTP – Introverted Sensing Thinking Perceiving

ISTPs at their core, enjoy their personal space way too much, hence when they are truly into someone, they tend to accommodate their partner in their life. They are a mix of alternating ‘living in the moment’ and ‘withdrawing into their space’ kind of people. Although they love to hold on to their options and freedom at all times, ISTPs eventually look for partners who do not put them in a box. When ISTPs say ‘I love you’, they mean to make a promise to prioritise their partner above their cherished independent lifestyle.

ESTP – Extraverted Sensing Thinking Perceiving

ESTPs are daring, adaptable, curious individuals which keeps the flames burning in a relationship. However, they also get easily bored, hence they look out for a partner that can keep up with them equally. ESTPs also love a centre stage and a good audience, hence when they say ‘I love you’, they tend to mean that they are always looking out for their partner and will save them on any day.

ISFJ – Introverted Sensing Feeling Judging

ISFJs are naturally ‘giving’ people, hence they genuinely prioritize others’ needs over theirs. They are loyal and extremely warm with familial values. They do have a close circle of friends and always available to them at a moment’s notice. In a relationship, ISFJs look for appreciative partners who cherish them as they do others. When ISFJs say ‘I love you’, they mean that the partner’s happiness and need are as important and more than their own.

ESFJ – Extroverted Sensing Feeling Judging

ESFJs are decisive people, who are socially involved and cherish attention. With that comes their need for their partner’s validation and appreciation for their efforts. ESFJs go all the way in to put in efforts to make their partners happy, hence they expect their partners to cherish them in return. When they say ‘I love you’, ESFJs mean that they want their partner to be on their team for the long-run.

ISFP – Introverted Sensing Feeling Perceiving

ISFPs are open-minded and adventurous folks, who guard their sensitive core carefully. They take time cautiously falling in love, but once they do, they know that they are with the right partner. It is important for ISFPs to know that their caring towards their partner is mutually shared. They enjoy spending time with their partners and ensure that their partners know that they are special and being cared for. When ISFPs say ‘I love you’, they mean that you are meant for each other.

ESFP – Extraverted Sensing Feeling Perceiving

ESFPs are the calling card for fun and party vibes. They live in a world of endless possibilities, hence when they get down to a commitment, they usually mean business. ESFPs are free-spirited entertainers, but also emotional and sensitive. ESFPs look for appreciative partners who reciprocate their energy. When ESFPs say ‘I love you’, they mean to say that they prioritize their partner and choose them above everything in their life.

INFJ – Introverted iNtuition Feeling Judging

INFJs are unique in a way that they are genuinely interested in people and their well-being but are also detached. They are empathetic and well-motivated in their nature. INFJs seek deep and meaningful connections in their relationships. They do not take their partners for granted and seek to look for ways to grow with their partners. For these aspects, they need to completely trust their partner. When INFJs say ‘I love you’, they mean that they completely trust their partner and do see a future with them.

ENFJ – Extroverted iNtuition Feeling Judging

ENFJs are visionaries who see a global picture. They are eager to establish commitment hence choose their partners for the long-haul. ENFJs always tend to keep a check on the pulse of their relationship by clarifying what their partner needs. They tend to avoid conflict, even if it means putting themselves down. The best kind of partner for ENFJs must be sensitive to their needs and blind spots. When ENFJs say ‘I love you’, they mean to assure that their partner’s happiness and needs are as important as their own.

INFP – Introverted iNtuition Feeling Perceiving

INFPs have a unique sense of wonder and they almost look at all aspects of life through this glass. They value authenticity, ethics and peace hence follow a quiet lifestyle. They experience all emotions deeply, and love does escape their hearts. INFPs seek for partners that are honest and true to their nature. They compromise, understand and put effort into building a relationship. When INFPs say, ‘I love you’, they mean that the way they feel about their partner has become an innate part of their being, thoughts and emotions.

ENFP – Extraverted iNtuition Feeling Perceiving

ENFPs have strong values and viewpoints. They are natural explorers who do not let any obstacle stop them in their path. They may come across as impulsive and idealistic at the same time but, that is merely a reflection of their thirst for exploration. ENFPs look for partners that match their energy. When they say ‘I love you’, ENFPs mean that they are smitten by their partner and cannot wait to explore more of the world with them.

INTJ – Introverted iNtuition Thinking Judging

When INTJs express their love, they are not mere words. Known for leading private lives, INTJs are selective with people they invest their time emotionally with to build a relationship. Hence, when they say ‘I love you’, they see a future with you. They are not known for grand gestures and do not submit to conventional dating as it does not make sense to them. However, they eventually understand the dating rites and when they see potential in a relationship, they give it all.

ENTJ – Extraverted iNtuition Thinking Judging

For ENTJs, their sense of responsibility is one of the top priorities, hence they take it up on themselves to approach relationships with a set of goals, plans and strategies. They are avid planners who seek smooth and mutually rewarding experience, hence when they say ‘I love you’, they mean that there is nothing in the world that would stop them to help their partner succeed and keep them from harm.

INTP – Introverted iNtuition Thinking Perceiving

INTPs are highly logical folks, always filled with ideas and notions. They also seek reserved ambience and do not wish to make a spectacle of themselves. They enjoy analysing what their loved ones wants and needs are. Given these characteristics, INTPs expression of love is subtle and consistent. This will reflect mostly as a commitment to understand their partner better every day.

ENTP – Extraverted iNtuition Thinking Perceiving

ENTPs are innovative and optimistic, hence they approach relationships with the same notion. They carry a sense of fascination and once they are fascinated by a potential partner, they are invested and get to know everything about them. ENTPs also tend to have rooted in self-improvement, hence growth and development in a relation is important to them. When ENTPs say ‘I love you’, they mean that they want to spend a considerable amount of time, grow and figure out their partners together.

Summary

In conclusion, each MBTI type has its own unique set of characteristics that let them perceive, interact and experience the world. Given that, each type also has its own meaning and sense to what and how they experience love. The way they give and receive love largely varies on the way they make decisions and how they perceive and process information. People fall in love for different reasons and express their love in their own time. For all 16 different types of the MBTI personalities, love takes different meanings. For instance, when the type INTP expresses their love, the underlying meaning is that they are willing to commit to you and understand you better every day.

FAQs: MBTI Types Say ‘I Love You’

Which personality type is the saddest?

It is through several anecdotes known that INFPs tend to be drawn towards sadness. INFPs find value in sadness. Empathy is one of the most significant characteristics of INFPs. This allows them to feel and process emotions on a deeper level. When they find people hurting, they tend to help them. INFPs see life as one grand story and sadness is only a part of it which enables them to experience it exclusively. Sadness also gives them insights and helps understand themselves better. Despite all sadness, INFPs ten to be optimists, which makes them value sadness even more for all the lessons and moments of clarity it can provide.

Which MBTI falls in love easily?

ESFP tend to fall in love fast because they are open and appreciative folks. They also tend to be great romantics with a fancy for grand gestures. They live in a world of endless possibilities, hence when they get down to a commitment, they usually mean business. ESFPs are free-spirited entertainers, but also emotional and sensitive.

What personality type is the happiest?

ESFJs are decisive people, who are socially involved and cherish attention. They put in a lot of effort into the things that matter most to them and cherish the appreciation and recognition that they receive in return.

References

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How to tell when your partner is falling in love, according to their Myers-Briggs personality type. https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/tell-partner-falling-love-according-myers-briggs-personality-type-205019927.html.

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Pacinelli, I. (2020, July 28). What It Means When He Says ‘I Love You,’ Based On His Myers Briggs Personality Type. YourTango. https://www.yourtango.com/2020335436/what-does-i-love-you-mean-each-myers-briggs-personality-type.

Personality Growth. (2018, September 18). Here’s How Easily You Say “I Love You,” Based on Your Personality Type. Personality Growth. https://personalitygrowth.com/heres-how-easily-you-say-i-love-you-based-on-your-personality-type/.

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