The Five Love Languages is a book by relationship counselor Gary Chapman that helps people speak and understand emotional love when it is expressed through one of five languages: words of affirmation, quality time, receiving gifts, acts of service, or physical touch. Chapman argues that while each of these languages is enjoyed to some degree by all people, a person will usually speak one primary language, but all are important and can be ranked after taking the love language profile that is included in the book for both husbands and wives. He has also authored the Five Love Language concept for parents of children and teenagers, single adults, and a special version for men. He has co-authored The Five Languages of Apology with Dr. Jennifer Thomas, that helps people understand how to give and receive an apology.
The first of many books promoting the above concept was The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate, first published in 1992. The book has sold nearly 5 million copies in English; having been translated into 38 other languages — and the 1996 edition consistently ranks in the top 100 sellers on
Amazon.com, ranking in the top 50 as of February, 2007. The book is in the top 15 books on the New York Times Bestsellers List.