Why one word for "love" was never quite enough
English lumps many different feelings into the single word 'love,' but ancient Greek had a separate word for each depending on the nature of the affection. Knowing these distinctions makes it easier to describe the different kinds of care and connection that show up in real relationships.
Curious about how you experience love?
If you want to know more about how you personally tend to express and receive love, the 5 love languages quiz is worth taking as a companion piece.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can more than one type of love exist in the same relationship?
Yes — long-term couples and marriages often carry a mix of eros, pragma, and philia all at once, rather than just one pure type.
Why is philautia (self-love) considered a type of love at all?
The ancient Greeks believed that a healthy love for oneself was the foundation that made a person capable of loving others well in the first place.