What Are ENFP Relationships? Compatibility & Dating Tips

Listen to this article

ENFP relationships are based on this personality type from The Myers & Briggs Foundation. The ENFP personality type is characterized by a person who is extraverted and processes information via intuition.

The ENFP personality type also makes decisions based upon feelings and is a perceiver, meaning the ENFP tends to be open to new information.

ENFP stands for Extraversion (E), Intuition (N), Feeling (F), Perception (P) 

What is an ENFP relationship?

An ENFP relationship occurs when one or both members of the partnership is an ENFP personality type, per the MBTI personality test from The Myers & Briggs Foundation. This personality type is extraverted and concerned with others’ feelings.

Per The Myers & Briggs Foundation, the ENFP partner brings traits like enthusiasm, energy, warmth, and imagination to the relationship. The ENFP partner is also spontaneous and seeks new experiences.

Related Reading: Personality Temperament Types and Marriage Compatibility

ENFP Personality Traits and Characteristics

The enthusiastic, extraverted nature of the ENFP personality type brings both strengths and weaknesses to ENFP personality relationships.

Strengths of ENFP personality types – Impact on relationships

• The ENFP personality type is motivational, which can bring out the best in their partners. 
• The ENFP in love is fun to be around, as they are lively and upbeat, and they have a lot of energy. 
• ENFPs in relationships tend to be loyal and committed to their partners. 
• The ENFP personality type is in tune with their partner’s thoughts. 
• An ENFP in love will be open to compromise and will ensure their partner’s needs are met.

All of the above traits can bring happiness to ENFP personality relationships, but this relationship, as is true of any other relationship, is not perfect.

Weaknesses of ENFP personality types – Impact on relationships

• The ENFP personality type prefers fun, spontaneous events and may not be so fond of routine tasks, such as household chores. 
• The ENFP in love may be so enthusiastic that they become unrealistic. 
• ENFPs in relationships may become bored.
• ENFPs in love, struggle with handling conflict and criticism. 
• ENFPs in relationships may smother their partners and forget to tend to their own needs.

While the ENFP relationship is not perfect, there are clear strengths to dating an ENFP partner, and a healthy relationship can overcome the weaknesses associated with the ENFP personality type.

Licensed Clinical Social Worker Grady Shumway says,

With open communication and mutual understanding, the energetic and passionate nature of an ENFP can create a deeply fulfilling relationship. Embracing each other’s differences and working through challenges together can strengthen the connection and bring out the best in both partners.

Related Reading: What Are ISFP Relationships? Compatibality & Dating Tips

ENFP Compatibility

ENFPs are bubbly and compassionate, and as experts have explained, these traits mean that ENFPs generally seek people who are also upbeat and friendly. That being said, because of their optimism and enthusiasm, the ENFP is not always particularly picky about who they date, so long as the relationship is positive.

While ENFPs will generally value a positive relationship, they do require someone who enjoys having fun and is open to new things. This makes the ESFP personality type, who is sociable, energetic, and enthusiastic, a good match for the ENFP personality type.

ENFP compatibility is also seen with the INFJ personality type, per experts. While the INFJ is an introverted personality type, the INFJ has ENFP compatibility because they are intense and creative, which matches the ENFP’s need for new experiences.

Other personality types with excellent ENFP compatibility are ENFJ and the INTJ. The ENFJ is just as enthusiastic as the ENFP, and this personality type values meaningful conversation, making the ENFJ another best match for ENFP who is social.

On the other hand, the INTJ is oriented toward action and bonds well with the ENFP personality type.

The ENFP partner is bubbly and enthusiastic, but there are some personality types that may have weaker ENFP compatibility. For instance, the ISTJ is organized, practical, and serious, and they expect others to demonstrate the same level of organization and diligence.

This can cause the ENFP and ISTJ to clash. ENFPs may also clash with the ISTP, who is also practical and does not handle emotions very well.

ENFPs as Lovers

Given the ENFP personality type, ENFPs in love have some unique traits. As lovers, ENFPs are extremely affectionate and warm. They tend to shower their partners with love.

In addition, the ENFP enjoys seeking out new experiences in their relationship. This means that the ENFP partner will enjoy trying new things together, traveling, and partaking in parties and social outings over the course of the relationship.

Grady Shumway further says,

ENFPs bring excitement and spontaneity to relationships, always eager to explore and create memorable experiences with their partner. Their warmth and affection can make their relationships feel vibrant and full of emotional depth.

Since the ENFP is open to the excitement and new ideas, they will also enjoy exploration in the bedroom.

The ENFP can become bored, so they will want to keep their sex lives exciting. This can be an advantage in some respects, as the ENFP in love will be open to exploring their partner’s sexual fantasies.

On the other hand, if an ENFP’s partner is more comfortable with routine, the ENFP may find the sexual relationship to be too mundane.

Related Reading: What Are INFP Relationships? Compatibality & Dating Tips

How does an ENFP fall in love?

The ENFP personality type falls in love through having fun with their partner and experiencing new things together. According to experts, the ENFP partner needs someone who will explore the world with them, and you can expect the ENFP to fall in love through the process of shared exploration.

How do you know an ENFP likes you?

Once you have started a relationship with an ENFP partner, there are some ENFP signs of attraction that show this person likes you. For example, ENFP relationships experts state that an ENFP in love will be expressive with emotions. Other signs of ENFP attraction to you include the following:

• The ENFP openly expresses their feelings to you.
• The ENFP is generous with physical affection.
• The ENFP wants to spend quality time with you.
• The ENFP engages in effective conversations and wants to learn who you are.

ENFP Dating Problems

The ENFP in love is bubbly and warm, but this doesn’t mean there are never problems in ENFP relationships. ENFP dating problems can arise in some cases.

For instance, the ENFP seeks out new experiences and requires fun and excitement, so they can sometimes become bored in relationships, especially if their partner is the type who prefers routine.

Other ENFP dating problems can come from the ENFP’s need to avoid conflict and criticism. The ENFP in love may avoid expressing their needs, or they may avoid discussing areas of disagreement in order to keep the peace. Over time, this can cause issues to brew without ever being resolved.

The ENFP partner is also overly emotional, which means they feel things deeply. This can cause the ENFP in love to be sensitive, including toward their partner’s emotions. ENFP dating problems can arise when an emotional ENFP smothers their partner.

Finally, because the ENFP seeks excitement and adventure, they may become bored with routine tasks like housework and keeping up with insurances and bills. This can make it challenging when adult responsibilities arise.

Related Reading: What Are ENFJ Relationships? Compatibality & Dating Tips

If you are wondering how to keep it exciting with your ENFP partner, Mark Rosenfeld shares some tips on how to keep the boredom away in your relationship:

Dating Tips for ENFP Relationships

All that is known about the ENFP relationship can be summarized in the following 10 things to know about ENFP relationships. You may even check these points to analyze the pros and cons of having an ENFP partner:

1. ENFP relationships tend to be exciting and fun, as the ENFP seeks new experiences and will want to share them with their partner. Go for unique dating ideas or fun sex ideas to keep things interesting.
2. The ENFP can become bored with routine, so it is important to change things up from time to time, whether it is trying a new restaurant or learning a new skill together. 
3. The ENFP in love is extremely warm and affectionate, so be prepared for your partner to shower you with love and praise.
4. Since the ENFP can become bored with mundane tasks like chores and paying bills, it may be helpful to sit down together to discuss a budget and agree upon a chore schedule, or this may become a point of conflict in the relationship. 
5. The ENFP is highly social and adventurous, meaning your ENFP partner may need time to spend with friends. 
6. Your ENFP partner will want to connect with you over a meaningful conversation, so be sure to take time to set aside phones and have heartfelt conversations when you are together. 
7. The ENFP in love will be very in tune with their partner’s emotions, so the ENFP may be sensitive to anger or sadness from you. 
8. ENFP partners tend to struggle with addressing conflict, so it may be helpful to have weekly conversations about what is going well in the relationship, as well as what may need to improve. This can help the ENFP partner discuss disagreements in a non-confrontational way, which may be more comfortable for the ENFP personality type. 
9. The ENFP may push you to achieve your wildest dreams, but this does not mean they are trying to change you. The ENFP in love simply wants to motivate their partner to grow and achieve their full potential. 
10. The ENFP in love wants to compromise and truly wants their partner to be happy, so they will be willing to negotiate. This can be positive;  just be careful not to take advantage of your partner.

Related Reading: What Are INTP Relationships? Compatibality & Dating Tips

Final Thoughts on ENFP Relationships

In summary, ENFP relationships can be extremely rewarding because their personality type is warm and affectionate and wants to please their partners. The ENFP will desire a meaningful connection and conversation with their partner, and they will want their partner to grow and achieve their life’s dreams.

If you want a successful relationship with the ENFP, you should at least be willing to try new things and open your mind to new ideas.

Despite some ENFP dating problems that can arise, ENFP relationships can be healthy and positive. With the right partner, the enthusiastic ENFP can learn to settle down while sharing their warmth, enthusiasm, and affection with their love.