〜向きだ / 〜向けだ
muki / muke
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Meaning
向き: suitable for (naturally); 向け: intended for, aimed at (deliberately)
〜向き and 〜向け both attach to a target group, but they differ. 〜向き means "suited to X by nature": 子供向きの料理 is a dish that happens to suit children. 〜向け means "made for X on purpose": 初心者向けの教科書 was designed for beginners. 向き also has a literal meaning, facing a direction (南向き).
Both registers. 向け is common in marketing and product descriptions; 向き in evaluations of suitability and in real-estate language (南向きの部屋). 〜向きではない = not suited to.
Formation
V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
Noun + 向きだ / 向きの + Noun / 向きに (suited)Noun + 向けだ / 向けの + Noun / 向けに (designed for)Direction: 南向き / 前向き / 後ろ向きNegative: 〜向きではない (not suited)
Visual diagram
| Aspect | 〜向き | 〜向け |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | happens to suit X | made for X on purpose |
| Who decided? | nature or circumstance | the maker |
| Example | この仕事は彼向きだ (suits him) | 子供向けの番組 (a program made for children) |
| Other use | direction: 南向き; attitude: 前向き | destination: 海外向け輸出 |
Natural examples
この料理は辛くないので、子供向きだ。
このりょうりはからくないので、こどもむきだ。
This dish is not spicy, so it is suitable for children.
向き: the dish happens to suit children because it is mild.
これは初心者向けの教科書です。
これはしょしんしゃむけのきょうかしょです。
This is a textbook designed for beginners.
向け: a textbook designed for beginners.
海外向けに商品を開発している。
かいがいむけにしょうひんをかいはつしている。
We are developing products for overseas markets.
向けに: developing products aimed at overseas markets.
この仕事は細かい作業が好きな人向きだ。
このしごとはこまかいさぎょうがすきなひとむきだ。
This job suits people who like detailed work.
向き as a predicate: suited to.
南向きの部屋は日当たりがいい。
みなみむきのへやはひあたりがいい。
A south-facing room gets good sunlight.
Literal direction meaning of 向き.
Similar grammar and the difference
〜用
"For the use of" (子供用): designed use, close to 向け but for objects and tools.
"For X" in evaluation; not a suffix. Compare side by side
Suffix making adjectives; unrelated meaning. Compare side by side
Common mistakes
- ✗
- この本は初心者向きに書かれた。
- ✓
- この本は初心者向けに書かれた。
- Why
- "Written for" is deliberate design, so 向け.
- ✗
- この料理は辛くないので子供向けだ。
- ✓
- この料理は辛くないので子供向きだ。
- Why
- Being mild makes it suited to children by nature, not designed for them: 向き.
- ✗
- 前向けに考える。
- ✓
- 前向きに考える。
- Why
- The attitude idiom is 前向き (positive), a fixed form.
前向き / 後ろ向き describe attitudes (positive / negative). Marketing: 女性向け / 高齢者向け / 海外向け. 向き can take ではない for 'unsuited': 彼は営業向きではない.
JLPT N2 tips
On the exam
- Ask who decided: if the maker aimed at a group, 向け; if it just happens to suit, 向き.
- Words like 作られた / 開発した / 書かれた in the sentence point to 向け.
- Direction and attitude uses (南向き, 前向き) always use 向き.
Frequently asked questions
What does 〜向きだ / 〜向けだ mean?
向き: suitable for (naturally); 向け: intended for, aimed at (deliberately). 〜向き and 〜向け both attach to a target group, but they differ. 〜向き means "suited to X by nature": 子供向きの料理 is a dish that happens to suit children. 〜向け means "made for X on purpose": 初心者向けの教科書 was designed for beginners. 向き also has a literal meaning, facing a direction (南向き).
How do you form 〜向きだ / 〜向けだ?
Noun + 向きだ / 向きの + Noun / 向きに (suited) / Noun + 向けだ / 向けの + Noun / 向けに (designed for) / Direction: 南向き / 前向き / 後ろ向き / Negative: 〜向きではない (not suited). V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
When is 〜向きだ / 〜向けだ used?
Both registers. 向け is common in marketing and product descriptions; 向き in evaluations of suitability and in real-estate language (南向きの部屋). 〜向きではない = not suited to.
What is the difference between 〜向きだ / 〜向けだ and 〜用?
"For the use of" (子供用): designed use, close to 向け but for objects and tools.
What is the difference between 〜向きだ / 〜向けだ and 〜にとって?
"For X" in evaluation; not a suffix.
What is a common mistake with 〜向きだ / 〜向けだ?
Wrong: この本は初心者向きに書かれた。 Right: この本は初心者向けに書かれた。 "Written for" is deliberate design, so 向け.
Quick check
これは高齢者（ ）に開発された携帯電話だ。