Do INFJ and INTJ personalities make good romantic partners?
Yes, if they both put in the effort.
But the INFJ and INTJ relationshipcan be as complicated as Inter-Universal Teichmüller Theory. (Yeah…us neither.)
To put it in more relatable terms: When it’s good, it’s Zendaya and Tom Holland; when it’s bad, think Wendy Williams and Kevin Hunter.
So what are the key components of INFJ and INTJ compatibility, and what do people in such partnerships need to be careful of?
We’re breaking it all down below.
Understanding the INFJ Personality
INFJ stands for “introverted, intuitive, feeling, judging,” and people who fall into this category are referred to as “the advocates” or “the idealists.”
Arguably, INFJ is the rarest personality type, representing only about 1% to 3% of the population. However, those with it tend to leave impressive legacies.
Famous INFJs include:
Nelson Mandela
Princess Diana
Oprah Winfrey
Elanor Roosevelt
Mahatma Gandhi
Lady Gaga
Malala Yousafzai
INFJ people don’t feel complete unless they have a mission they’re working toward.
Conscientious and dedicated, INFJs may not necessarily care about amassing money and status — although both can be a byproduct of their efforts (see: Oprah).
For them, feeling good is rooted in doing “what’s right,” which is why many choose careers and life paths that involve helping others and trying to improve the world.
Understanding the INTJ Personality
INTJ stands for “introverted, intuitive, thinking, judging.” Colloquially, INTJs are “the intellectuals” and “the architects.” In addition to needing more alone time than extroverted personality types to recharge their proverbial batteries, INTJs are confident, analytical, and ambitious.
Usually, they focus on the big picture instead of the details, and they tend to be goal-oriented planners.
Famous INTJs include:
Jane Austen
Isaac Newton
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arthur Ashe
Albert Einstein
Barack Obama
Marie Curie
People with INTJ personalities are excellent at solving complex problems.
They love learning, traveling, and thinking about how the world works. But they may not be the best in groups, as they’re exceptionally independent-minded and often produce their best work when they go it alone.
Why Is An INFJ and INTJ Couple Considered a Golden Pair?
On a fundamental level, INFJs and INTJs work well as partners because they’re both introverted and intuitive types that understand the importance of alone time. They’re on the same wavelength, and what one lacks, the other has in abundance. To wit, INFJs have enough sensitivity for both parties, whereas INTJs pick up the logical slack — and they work together.
Resultantly, these pairings are rooted in immense respect. Moreover, both personality types value self-reflection and conscientiousness.
Beyond their similar personality pillars, INFJs and INTJs thrive when working toward goals. As such, they support each other’s ambitions in helpful and healthy ways.
INFJ and INTJ Relationship: The Positives and Pitfalls
Partnerships between INFJs and INTJs are often matches made in personality heaven. Both parties appreciate esoteric thinking, enjoy discussing abstract philosophical ideas, and stay up-to-date on current events.
But there’s no such thing as perfection when it comes to people and interpersonal relationships. With that in mind, let’s look at both the positives and pitfalls of the INFJ-INTJ bond.
Positives
Being part of an INFJ-INTJ romance can be an enriching experience. Let’s look at the highlights.
1. Set and Reach Goals Together
INFJs and INTJs are go-getters. They may not be boisterous, but they’re experts at setting and accomplishing goals. So when people with these personality types come together, they tend to be dynamic when it comes to professional and community feats.
However, don’t expect them to show up for the awards ceremony. Remember, they are introverts at the beginning and end of the day.
2. Engage in Deep and Meaningful Conversations
Deep and meaningful conversations fuel INTJ-INFJ unions. They can stay up for hours on end, discussing everything from the nature of existence to a third-wave feminist analysis of the Real Housewives.
Couples in this category also tend to know each other very well since they’re highly intuitive. To put it another way: They’re walking away with every “Newlywed Game” prize.
3. Respect Each Other’s Space
While people in INTJ-INFJ partnerships fight about certain things (which we’ll get to below), their arguments rarely have to do with feeling smothered or disrespected. These two personality types are high on the maturity scale, and they tend to act with integrity and treat their partners with the utmost dignity.
People with INTJ and INFJ personality types inspire each other to reach further than they ever thought possible. They tend to create an incredible support web for each other, helping them to reach their full potential.
Notably, couples that inspire each other tend to enjoy better mental health. Why? Because they’re secure that they have a “partner in crime” who unconditionally believes in their abilities. When those two things are in place, people enjoy more psychological energy and balance to devote to their goals, making them easier to reach.
5. Strong Intellectual Connection
The INTJ-INFJ intellectual bond is electric, and in some cases, that connection is what keeps the relationship exciting year after year. Arguably, erudition is at the top of each personalities’ “must have” partner-qualities list, as INTJ and INFJ people are usually the opposite of ignorant.
They may not be formally educated, but they’re almost always exceptionally bright. Moreover, since they’re both gifted with loads of intuition, their conversations take twists and turns that keep things interesting.
6. Willing To Try New Things Together
Although introverted, INTJs and INFJs are explorers at heart. Not only do they love to plumb the depths of intellectual topics, but they also enjoy discovering new places and trying new things. So long as the plan is well thought out, people who fall into these personality categories are willing to try almost anything.
Pitfalls
No relationship pairing is perfect, and even INTJ-INFJ golden couples must watch out for a few potential pitfalls.
1. Difficulty Dealing With Emotional Expression
Many INFJs and INTJs are outgoing, sociable people who enjoy deep and stimulating conversations with like-minded people. INFJs, in particular, may feel comfortable opening up emotionally once they feel comfortable.
However, many introverted feeling types tend to be less engaging and vulnerable. A double-date dinner with a stoic couple can feel like a formal evaluation of your culinary consumption skills. It’s like sitting across from automatons; they become noticeably uncomfortable when other people express an iota of non-staid personality in their presence.
They’re not bad people; they just tend to fall on the hyper-end of the decorous scale. But in terms of compatibility, why does it matter if they’re both like that? Right?
In truth, everyone has an inner life that could use a sympathetic and compassionate ear every so often. Even the Ice King and Queen need shoulders to cry on occasionally, which can be a problem in INFJ-INTJ relationships.
Since both parties are “alone-time goblins,” their partner’s emotions may frequently fly right over their heads. Moreover, when one party is in their feelings, the other may need space, making it difficult to connect on emotional levels.
2. Contentious Power Dynamics
One of the most significant issues INTJ-INFJ couples must face is their shared tendency to want the upper hand, which can lead to contentious power dynamics.
You probably won’t have knock-down, drag-out fights, but you could get caught in a seemingly never-ending debate about how things should be or work in your relationship.
Both parties must be willing to give a little when this issue arises. If they can, the problem can usually be resolved with each partner choosing things to be responsible for.
3. Difficulty Compromising
Similar to the power dynamics problem faced by some INFJ-INTJ partnerships, failure to compromise can also become a hurdle with this personality pairing.
Since both parties are highly goal-oriented and focused on their passions, they cling tightly to their convictions and have difficulty letting go. They will fight to the proverbial death to make their points.
Again, the best way around this is to stay in constant communication and develop plans that give each party some authority and autonomy.
4. Trouble Being Fully Vulnerable
The inner lives of INFJ and INTJ people are usually vibrant. They are both deep thinkers who are self-reflection rock stars.
However, they sometimes have difficulty understanding others’ vulnerabilities and may not feel 100% comfortable opening up to people — even loved ones. The reasons for this are varied. Some see their emotions as superfluous and illogical and therefore don’t want to “burden” folks. Others are simply fearful of appearing out of control.
Moreover, since people who fall into these categories often work toward the greater good, the bigger picture is their frame of reference, and they may not be tuned into personal emotions.
5. Different Approaches to Material Concerns
Another potential pitfall for INTJ-INFJ relationships is that one party may be more materialistic than the other. In most cases, the INTJ is more “commercial” than the INFJ.
Take, for example, Melissa and John. She is an INFJ who works for an environmental charity; he is an attorney. While they both support each other explicitly and implicitly, John is more concerned about buying a house and saving for retirement. At the same time, Melissa is more concerned about her causes and doesn’t prioritize finances or care how much she makes. Sometimes, this difference leads to confrontations.
In most cases, couples can overcome this hurdle fairly easily if they make a plan they both sign off on and each party respects it.
Tips for an INFJ Involved with an INTJ
Here are a handful of tips for people with INFJ personalities who are dating INTJ types:
Make sure you give INTJs enough time to reflect on a given topic. They may need more time to analyze every angle.
INTJs may not always be the most charismatic person in the room — quite the opposite, in fact. Try not to get annoyed; they’re not purposefully being abrasive. Sometimes, it just takes them time to warm up, and that may never happen in large social settings.
Don’t get too upset if they don’t seem as passionate about a social or community issue as you would hope. They may agree with you but simply don’t have the same motivators. Plus, they may see more nuance in given situations.
Both INFJs and INTJs can be judgmental, so before forming an opinion about your INTJ partner’s plan, goal, or idea, talk to them about their thinking process. Doing so will illuminate their motivations, and it may make more sense once you have the complete picture.
Tips for an INTJ Involved with an INFJ
Next up are some tips for people with INTJ personalities who are involved with INFJs:
Don’t assume your INFJ partner needs as much time as you to process thoughts and situations.
Your INFJ boyfriend or girlfriend may be more sensitive than you; be mindful of that fact, and consider checking in with them emotionally more often than your instincts may urge.
You and your INFJ partner have strong opinions and a clear plan, which are positive traits. But since you’re both strong personalities, you may lock horns more frequently than other couples. Keep that in mind and learn how to approach conflict calmly and reasonably.
Final Thoughts
INTJ-INFJ relationships can be the ultimate in power coupledom — as long as you both learn to temper your worst instincts. Moreover, it’s best when INTJs and INFJs get together a little late in life. They may be painfully incompatible in their teens and twenties when growing into themselves.
But the bottom line is that when these two people share similar values, little can stop them. They’re headed for the moon and beyond.
