Caught Off Guard? 7 Ways to Respond when a Girl Says She Likes You (2024)

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Co-authored byShana Tibi

Last Updated: February 5, 2024

Thank her.

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1. It’s polite and can make things feel less awkward. Whether you feel the same about them or not, it's a compliment when someone tells you they like you. A simple “thank you” is polite and positive way to respond in the moment (especially if you aren't sure what else to say).^[1]

   • Try saying, “Thank you so much!” or “Thank you, that’s really sweet of you.”

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1. It can take some of the pressure off of her. Let her know that you appreciate the fact that she likes you by talking about how good it makes you feel to hear it. It’s also a safe option and is a great response if you aren’t exactly sure what to say back to her.^[2]

   • For instance, “I’m so flattered to hear you say that. You’re making me blush!”
   • You might also say, “Wow! I can’t tell you how good it feels to hear that."

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1. You don’t have to respond right away. It’s okay to take some time to think about how you feel after she tells you she likes you. You don’t have to have a perfect answer on the spot. You can thank her and try to move on and bring it back up at a later time.^[3]

   • You could try, “Wow! I had no idea. I wasn’t expecting this. Is it okay if I have some time to think about it?”
   • You could also try, “I really had no clue. I'm not even sure what to say! Do you mind if I take some time to think?”

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Tell her you like her back if you do.

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1. If you feel the same way, let her know!^[4] There’s no need to hold anything back if the feelings are mutual. Just come right out and say it! Tell her how you feel and she’ll feel much better about taking the leap of faith and expressing her feelings for you.^[5]

   • You could say, “That makes me so happy! I like you, too.”
   • Try something cheeky like, “Well, what a coincidence. I like you, too!”

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1. If you’re unavailable, she needs to know. She may not be aware of your significant other (or maybe she doesn’t care), but if you’re committed to your partner, you need to tell her so she doesn’t get the wrong idea. Keep it simple and direct so there isn’t any confusion.

   • Try something short and sweet like, “Thanks, but I have a boyfriend/girlfriend.”
   • You could also try, “I’m sorry, I actually have a boyfriend/girlfriend.”

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1. Respond in a clear, direct way without hurting her feelings.^[6] Don’t ignore her or respond with something rude. She just put herself out there, and even if you don’t feel the same way, the polite thing to do is to let her down easy. Don’t flirt with her or do anything that could lead her on.^[7]

   • Try saying, “That’s really sweet of you to say, but I’m sorry, I just don’t feel the same way.”
   • Try saying, “I really value our friendship, but I don’t have romantic feelings for you. I hope this won’t affect things between us.”
   • Try, “You’re one of the smartest people I know, but I like you as a friend.”

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1. They can lighten the mood especially if you aren't sure what to say.^[8] If you don’t feel the same way about her, you can add some smiley faces to your response so it softens the blow. If you like her back, try adding some heart emojis or smiley faces with heart eyes for extra emphasis for how you feel.^[9]

   • For instance, you could say, “I really hope we can still be good friends” and then add a smiley face emoji if you’re telling her you don’t like her back.
   • If you like her too, try sending, “Wow! I feel the same way!” and then some heart-eyes emojis to really drive the point home.

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