What Does Aromantic Mean And How Is It Different From Asexual?

Have you ever faked a crush on someone only so you wouldn’t feel left out amongst your friends? Have you rejected someone’s proposal only because you were not sure of what they want from you? Do you wonder why people like lavish weddings? If your answer to these questions is a ‘yes,’ you probably are an ‘aromantic.’

Yes, aromantic is a term, and no, it does not mean being asexual.Aromantic refers to someone who is not interested in aromantic liaisoniXTwo persons having a sexual or romantic connection, especially a hidden one.but is more interested inplatonic relationshipsiXA spiritually-based partnership that is not physical.. If you wish to know more about what aromantic means and read the signs of an aromantic, keep reading as we tell you everything you need to know about it.

In This Article

Who Is An ‘Aromantic’?

They do not develop romantic feelings

Image: IStock

As the word suggests, ‘aromantic’ refers to someone who does not develop romantic feelings or attraction for another person. They find it challenging to feel the情感联系required to build a romantic relationship and have no interest in such a relationship.

They do feel sexual attraction, but they are more content with maintaining friendships and non-romantic relationships.

They can form a deep bond with someone they connect with, but it does not culminate in romance. Also, an individual’s sexual preference has no impact on theirromantic orientationiXCategorization of a person's romantic experience on the basis of gender irrespective of their sexual orientation..They may have a friendly liking or even acrushon someone, but they are less likely to enter into a romantic relationship with that person.

13 Signs You Are An Aromantic Person

Here are some common signs that indicate you are an aromantic. Keep reading and see if you relate to any of these points.

1. You have never had a crush on anyone

In your teens, you must have heard your friends discuss their crushes and how they feel about them. However, you never fully understood what they were talking about because you were always uninterested in romance and never felt that romantic feeling toward anyone.

2. You pretend to have a crush

When your friends gush oversomeone they like, you too chime in discussing your supposed crush only so you could fit it, but you can’t really imagine what it would feel like.Your crush may be attractive, but you know deep down that you feel dispassionate toward them and do not have any romantic feelings.

3. You fail to relate to romantic stories

You cannot wrap your head around romantic TV series,movies, and novels. You feel unromantic and do not get why a pretty girl like Allie would leave her wealthy and loving boyfriend for someone like Noah. Such stories baffle you, and you wish people could be morepragmaticiXBased on conclusions from experience rather than upon theory..

protip_icon Point to consider
你不喜欢浪漫的歌曲,因为你不能relate to the lyrics. You do not understand the whole hullabaloo over a broken heart.

4. You have never felt nervous around someone you like

You have never felt what is known as ‘butterflies in your stomach.’ You feel nervous before a big event but never around someone you find attractive.

5. You are a loyal and sincere friend

You are a loyal and sincere friend

Image: IStock

You are veryclose to your friends, and they know you always have their back. In fact, you are very good with people and can empathize with both older and younger people. However, what you cannot feel is romance for anyone.

6. You feel sexual attraction but nothing else

You feel sexually attracted to people and enjoy sex, but you are unemotional about it and do not understand the need or importance of romance. You may enjoy sex with a particular person but still not feel anything remotely romantic for them. As a result, it may feel like the romanticaspects of datingare “formalities” or something you have to “get through.”

protip_icon Point to consider
Aromantics are okay withpolygamy i XBeing married to multiple people at the same time.or open relationship because your needs may be physical and rarely emotional.

7. You do not understand the concept of marriage

For you, a wedding is nothing more than just another event where people dance and dine and have a good time.You do not feel its significance and cannot help rolling your eyes when people get emotional at weddings.

8. You are not interested in having a relationship

Romantic relationshipsmake you feel indifferent and awkward because you do not know what the other person feels and don’t know how to reciprocate their feelings. You do not want to cause anyone any pain, so you avoid seeing anyone romantically, especially when you notice the possibility of unrequited love.

9. You want to be in a relationship for all reasons but romance

You get into a relationship for several reasons but feel unenthusiastic when it comes to romance. Your partner may give you financial stability, or they may be great in bed. You know what the reason is, and it is not what brings many other couples together.

10. You prefer the ‘friends with benefits’ arrangement:

Sexual attraction is your thing but not romance. So, ‘friends with benefits’ suits you perfectly because you can be a great friend for someone but not their romantic partner.

11. You like being single

You enjoy being single

Image: IStock

浪漫的人,单身很无聊. But, for you, it is normal and something that you prefer. People around might bug you to find a partner, but you do not feel bothered because you cherish your singlehood.

12. You are not interested in knowing about people’s love life

Your friend might come crying to you about her breakup, and although you may sympathize with her, you might feel drained and bored. You act uninvolved or unresponsive toward their feelings and find it challenging to comfort them.

13. You do not understand the hype around Valentine’s day

Gifting, writing love notes, andconfessingyour feelings are things that make you cringe. You are unengaged with the romantic side of life, and a day dedicated to love and romance, that is, Valentine’s Day has no effect on you and is just another day for you.

Are Aromantics Afraid Of Making A Commitment?

They can feel an intense emotional connection but it's not romantic.

Image: IStock

Aromantics do not lack theability to love. They love their family, pets, and friends. The only thing different about them is that they cannot differentiate between platonic and romantic love. They have the same feeling of attachment for everyone they care for.

They can get into a committed relationship, and they even cherish it but not in the traditional sense. They can feel an intense emotional connection that is more than friendship with someone, but there is less than zero chance of it ever developing into romantic feelings.

protip_icon 快速的事实
Aromantic is an orientation on a spectrum. This spectrum includes different types of aromantics, such as ‘gray-romantic,’ who is placed in the middle of aromantic and romantic, and ‘recipromantic’ who develops romantic feelings only when another person initiates it for them.

Aromantic Vs. Asexual

An aromantic person can enjoy and desire sex.

Image: IStock

The term aromantic is often confused with asexual. However, the two terms have different meanings. An aromantic person can feel sexual attraction. They can evenenjoy and desire sex. An asexual person, on the other hand, does not enjoy or desire sex. They can be romantic and enjoy cuddling,拥抱, and other physical gestures but not sex. This can be confusing for a partner, as they cannot fathom a person’s need for sex without any romantic attachment.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can an aromantic person want a relationship?

Being aromantic doesn’t necessarily mean they don’t desire relationships or romantic connections. They may enjoy unconventional forms of partnerships, and many aromantics want relationships, marriage, and children.

2. Can aromantic asexuals fall in love?

Aromatic people may appear emotionless or robotic, yet they are not. Love has no boundaries and is unconditional. A person canfall in lovewith someone they genuinely adore and connect with them whether they are romantically inclined or not, sexual or asexual

3. Can an aromantic person date a romantic person?

Aromantic people can still connect with romantic ones despite their discomfort with romance and intimacy. It’s not unusual for aromantics to enjoy activities that are popular with romantic couples. Some aromantics like to be hugged and kissed in a non-romantic way.

We hope that this post helped you understand what does aromantic means. It is quite normal if you are aromantic and not something that you need to stress over. Remember, aromatic and asexual are not the same thing. You feel the same arousal for your partner as others do, but the only difference is that you consider it platonic rather than romantic. If your friends or your partner cannot understand the difference between romantic and aromantic, give some examples to help them understand.

Infographic: What A Relationship With An Aromantic May Feel Like?

Being in a relationship with an aromantic may seem odd, but these relationships exist and are even flourishing well. So if your partner or crush is aromantic and you want to know what to expect from your relationship, here is your go-to guide to understanding this uniqueness.

what to expect from your relationship (infographic)

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Get high-quality PDF version by clicking below.

Download Infographic in PDF version Download Infographic
Download Infographic in PDF version

Key Pointers

  • When building emotional connections have always felt like a task, you may be aromantic.
  • 最常见的香气的迹象ntic people is that they do not have a crush at any point in time.
  • Commitment in the most traditional terms such as marriage may seem bizarre even after they build an emotional bond with someone.

Aromanticism is an orientation that involves little to no romantic attraction. Learn more about the aromantic spectrum in this guide!

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