21 traits a real man wants in a woman (complete list)

We sometimes include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Read our affiliate disclosure.

Just as how women can be complex beings, men can also be difficult to understand as well.

A real man who is matured and grounded on various levels looks for specific qualities in their partner.

We are sure you would love to know what traits will catch their attention and help you stand out as the most compatible partner in their life.

So what do real men want in a woman that they consider their “dream partner”?

Here are 13 things that men look for:

1) She can take care of herself

While it is true that men like to provide for their partners, a real man also wants to feel like she can take care of herself and stand on her own legs if he is not available.

A woman who can take care of her needs, maintain her health, and is relatively independent while also cherishing his company will definitely captivate him.

A real man would want a partner who doesn’t neglect herself in the relationship and doesn’t rely on him for everything.

2) She Has an Amazing Sense of Humor

A man wants to be with someone who can be fun and joyous to hang with.

He would want to know that he can be his natural self with his partner and crack a bunch of jokes without being judged.

If a woman is too rigid or boring, he may not feel encouraged to be playful around them.

Being around someone who has a good sense of humor makes spending time with them more fun, and laughing together never gets old.

A man desires a woman who laughs at his jokes and enjoys joking around with him.

3) She Has Goals and Ambitions

Men are drawn to women with diverse hobbies, lives, and social circles.

They don’t want to be with a woman who feels like her life revolves around him all of the time, who wants to be with him all of the time, and who doesn’t give him enough space.

Any lady who attempts to limit his independence is not the type of woman he wants to spend his time with.

True gentlemen desire a lady who inspires them because she is capable of creating her own life.

They want a woman who is more than just in a relationship; they want a woman who has her own goals and ambitions.

4) She Is Not Afraid to Speak Her Mind

It is impossible for him to read your mind and understand what you are thinking.

A real man wants to have the ability to have deep and meaningful conversations with his partner; direct and simple communication is essential for this.

He will respect you for speaking your mind and will reach a middle ground faster without talking in circles.

A man appreciates it when a woman expresses her desires and how he may best fulfill them.

His goal is to make her happy, and now that he knows how to do it, he is more confident in his ability to do so.

5) She Is Happy and Satisfied

A real man takes a great deal of pride in making sure his woman is happy.

They want to know that they are happy and satisfied in the relationship as this will make them feel good about being with you.

If you welcome them with positive energy, they will gravitate towards you; having negative energy will drain their energy and put a wet cloth on the relationship.

A real man who is honorable prefer to spend time with people who are interesting and fun to be around.

6) She Has Values That She Stands By

A real man may first fall for your looks but that is seldom enough to keep him interested.

Men crave long-lasting and meaningful connections with their partners.

They love to have debates and conversations that are intellectually stimulating.

Having values and stances that you stand by will show that you are being your authentic self when you are with him.

Men also desire a considerate, caring, dependable, thoughtful, and loyal woman. This is what he considers “high value

She’s the type of lady who radiates warmth from her heart.

These combined will make him fall head over heels for you and crave your company.

7) She Appreciates and Respects Him

Men yearn for recognition, appreciation, and acknowledgment. He knows this is a sign that a woman loves and adores him.

A real man will want to hold his head up high and believe that his woman sees him as the best thing ever.

He will love to see her acknowledge the things he does for her and respect him for who he is.

Men want a lady who will treat them with genuine appreciation and respect unconditionally.

A simple thank you or a figurative slap on the back to congratulate a man on a job well done goes a long way.

However, it’s crucial not to diminish the power of such gratitude by chastising him for things he doesn’t do; or for things he does differently than you’d prefer.

8) She Is Smart and Has Self-Confidence

Men respect intellectual and intelligent women. They want a partner who can match their wit on the same wavelength.

This respect will turn into love if she has a great deal of self-confidence and assertiveness.

A humble man always wants to be tested intellectually.

They also love to see women who are comfortable in her own skin and can be a partner in crime or so to speak.

If she believes in herself and has her own ambitions, he is sure to fall for her at some point.

9) She Is a Great Listener

High-value men value partners who can listen to their ideas, thoughts, and feelings without judging them. They appreciate women with whom they can lower their guard and be emotionally vulnerable.

By listening and paying attention to what he is speaking, he will feel that he is being valued in the relationship; it will also make him feel like his voice matters.

He will also enjoy the time spent with you even more as he will be excited about the thought of being able to talk to you.

A conversation is a two-way street and by being a great listener, he will want to walk that road till he sees you walk the aisle.

10) He Can Depend on Her in a Crisis

Building trust is one of the most critical aspects of any relationship when building a life with someone else.

It’s crucial to fully trust someone and know that you will be there for one another no matter what life throws at you.

This is a signal for a man that she is the one.

Reliability is an important quality to look for in a potential partner. He doesn’t want a woman that is keeping him at arm’s length.

It is a good indicator that a person will be a good life partner if they are responsible with their finances and employment, and others can rely on them in general.

A real man wants to be with someone who is trustworthy and someone he can count on to come through for him in a crisis.

11) She Accepts Him Wholesale

Men want to feel free to be themselves, even if it doesn’t always align with the idealized image of a man.

Men are expected to be macho, driven, loud, competitive, and so on, but this is not always the case.

So they’re looking for a lady who doesn’t have preconeived assumptions about what a man should be.

Being masculine in a relationship means more than taking the lead. 

They want to be appreciated for who they are, not for what others think they should be.

A real man is extremely self-conscious and self-aware to the point that he knows his own shortcomings.

He wants his partner to be someone who is not blind to these flaws but rather accepts him as a whole including these flaws.

12) She Is Caring and Genuine

Most guys, especially in public, struggle to express their softer feelings. That is why they yearn for a woman who will allow them to be vulnerable by demonstrating compassion, genuine care, and empathy.

They need to know that if they are sad or depressed, their woman would accept and encourage them to express their feelings in a safe and caring setting.

Men desire affection almost as much as women and being the one to show it is a great way to win a man’s heart.

A real man also finds a lady who doesn’t need to hide aspects of herself behind a mask quite attractive.

This sincerity and authenticity is refreshing from a man’s point of view; he knows that you genuinely care for him and are not afraid to show your real face.

13) She Supports His Dreams

When a man has a desire, a goal, or an ambition, he needs to know that the woman who is his partner supports him to the fullest.

He wants to know that you’re open to hearing his suggestions and are enthusiastic about them.

Allowing him to make mistakes will occasionally be necessary. But that’s life, and he’ll understand.

If he understands you’re there to support him, he’ll feel more emboldened to be himself and express himself.

Encouragement and support are to be shown even when he struggles or is confronted with a challenge.

You must be there for him, in part to console him and in part to offer assistance; doing so will make him fall in love with you on a whole new level.

14) She Is Patient and Kind

Although men naturally want a strong and decisive partner, they also want a woman with a good sense of humor, perfect manners, and sweetness.

They like to be around someone who can be playful and lighthearted as well as serious when the moment calls for it.

A real man will appreciate his lady when she’s kind and loving toward his kids. A pleasant, easy-going personality is not only inviting but is also highly attractive to him.

He finds a woman’s kindness and gentleness incredibly attractive as he does not want to be with someone who is overly critical of him.

15) She is Thoughtful

Men are often known for being goofballs, but that doesn’t mean they don’t also appreciate a lady who thinks about the little things.

He wants you to remember his birthday, to be thoughtful in other ways, and above all to have a kind disposition.

He will feel like you are thinking, even when you do not shower him with expensive gifts. He wants someone who is considerate and caring, which will make him feel appreciated and loved.

He is looking for someone who enjoys the little things in life and who lives to please him regardless of the size or cost of the gift.

16) She Is a Willing to Listen to His Accomplishments and Stories

One of the most important qualities a man wants in his partner is to be able to listen.

Since men are action-oriented, they want a woman ready to hear about their accomplishments and life stories.

They take great pride in what they do, and they want someone interested in hearing about them.

If she can listen to all he has to say with interest and without judgment, she will win his heart.

One of the most common complaints men have voiced is that they want a woman who will listen to them and ask questions when they are finished speaking.

They want someone to share their experiences with and want the conversation to go both ways.

Men appreciate a woman who is willing to just sit in silence if he needs it as well as someone who can easily keep up with his volley of thoughts.

17) She is Cute, Charming, and Enthusiastic

Even though men want a woman who is intelligent and successful, they also find women who are cute, charming, and enthusiastic very appealing.

They enjoy the company of a woman who can be silly and fun to spend time with.

This is especially true for younger men; charm makes them tick.

She can show enthusiasm that will have him smiling.

It’s often a sign of a great personality; it’s not something that comes out of her at the first sign of trouble.

She will also be able to hold his interest in the conversation, which is another attractive attribute.

He likes to be drawn to another person and wants a woman who can keep him engaged in what’s being said.

18) She is True to Herself

Men are attracted to women who are genuine like they are.

Yes, there are times when the truth is not always welcome, but most men want a woman who will be honest and sincere.

She does not have to wear her heart on her sleeve to attract him; she just has to be herself.

What is a genuine woman? One who is true to herself first and foremost. It means that she will never change or alter her personality or values for another person.

She will not allow someone to change her beliefs. If a man is attracted to a woman who is such a person, he will be sure to fall in love with her.

19) She is Not Afraid of Getting Hurt

Men desire a woman who can take risks, even when fearful.

That’s why they prefer women who know what they want and want it but also can be independent enough not to depend on a man for anything or anyone.

He desires a woman who is not afraid to explore new things or take chances.

He does not want someone clingy and dependent on him; he wants someone who is a true woman of integrity.

He looks for someone he can rely on to be there in good times, but also in tough times.

20) She is Loyal

Whether a woman is older or younger than him, men generally gravitate toward the same type.

A woman who is loyal and good to him will make him feel wanted, loved, and happy.

The last thing a man wants is to be with a woman who is going to be disloyal to him.

He doesn’t want any drama in his life when it comes to finding someone loyal; he wants someone who’s going to stick by his side no matter what.

On the other hand, women appreciate a man who will treat them like a lady in his life. If he calls or stops by and treats her well, she will feel great about becoming his girlfriend or wife.

They enjoy having someone honest and supportive because they know he has their best interests at heart. He cares about their welfare and wants to ensure they will always be safe and happy.

21) She is Not Needy

A man doesn’t want a woman who is needy or clingy. Instead, he wants a woman who has her own life and does not have to rely solely on him for anything.

That’s why he appreciates someone who can be independent and strong without him. He cannot forget a woman he genuinely admires and loves.

He wants someone who is able to be there when needed but also understands when he needs time alone on the weekends or at night.

He wants a woman who can take care of herself and doesn’t need his help every time he turns around.

As always, we hope you found this post useful. If you have found that special someone but are unsure how to the conversation started, you may find our post on topics to talk about with girls helpful.