Your Everything-To-Know Guide to Apology Languages

Knowing yours = the key to a better relationship.

- Taylor Andrews

Similar in concept to a love language, an apology language is how you give and receive an 'I'm sorry. And while you have probably never put too much thought into what that looks like for you, how you apologise to your partner is actually extremely important to consider especially since everyone requires something different in order to move past an argument.

That's because humans are all wired differently. For you, it might be sufficient to hear the words 'I'm sorry, you are right after a fight. But for someone else, the words 'I'm sorry' could feel empty and like a shallow way of moving past it.

So let's break down everything there is to know about apology languages because, as much as we love a good love language, apology languages are high-key just as important.

WHAT ARE THE APOLOGY LANGUAGES?

Apology languages became a thing when Gary Chapman, PhD, wrote about it in his book The Five Languages Of Apology with Jennifer Thomas. (And ICYMI: he also wrote The Five Love Languages.) Gary basically says love languages: how you tell or show a person you love them, and apology languages: how you tell or show a person you are sorry.

In total, there are five apology languages:

1. Expressing regret ('I feel ashamed for how I hurt you.')