〜向け / 〜向き
muke / muki
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Meaning
向け: intended for… (target audience); 向き: suitable for… (naturally suited)
〜向け means something was made or designed for a certain group: 子供向けの本 "a book (made) for children". 〜向き means something happens to suit a group, whether or not it was designed for them: この仕事は若い人向きだ "this job suits young people". 向け = intention; 向き = suitability.
Marketing, product descriptions, advice: 初心者向け, 海外向け, 女性向き. 向き also means facing a direction: 南向きの部屋. Both attach to nouns and take の before a noun, に before a verb, だ at the end.
Formation
V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
Noun + 向け + だ / の Noun / に Verb (初心者向けに説明する)Noun + 向き + だ / の Noun / に VerbNegative of 向き: 不向き (unsuitable) / 向きではない
Visual diagram
| Aspect | Meaning | Who decides? | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 〜向け | Made for / aimed at | The maker intended it | 子供向けの番組 (a programme made for children) |
| 〜向き | Suits / is fit for | Nature or circumstances | 子供向きの番組 (a programme that suits children) |
Natural examples
これは子供向けの本だ。
これはこどもむけのほんだ。
This is a book made for children.
向け: written for children on purpose.
この料理は辛いものが苦手な人向きではない。
このりょうりはからいものがにがてなひとむきではない。
This dish is not suited to people who dislike spicy food.
向きではない: does not suit people who dislike spice.
初心者向けに、分かりやすく説明します。
しょしんしゃむけに、わかりやすくせつめいします。
I'll explain simply, for beginners.
向けに + verb: aimed at beginners.
この製品は海外向けに開発された。
このせいひんはかいがいむけにかいはつされた。
This product was developed for overseas markets.
向けに + verb: target market.
彼は細かい作業が苦手なので、この仕事には不向きだ。
かれはこまかいさぎょうがにがてなので、このしごとにはふむきだ。
He is bad at detailed work, so he is unsuited to this job.
不向き = not suited.
Similar grammar and the difference
〜のための
'For the sake of' — general purpose; 向け specifically means the target audience of a product or message.
〜に適している
'Is suitable for' as a full predicate; 向き packs the same idea into a suffix.
〜用
'For use by/with' (子供用, 業務用): the practical use, close to 向け but about function rather than audience.
Common mistakes
- ✗
- この本は子供向きに書かれた。
- ✓
- この本は子供向けに書かれた。
- Why
- 書かれた shows the writer's intention, so 向け (aimed at) is needed.
- ✗
- この気候は野菜作り向けだ。
- ✓
- この気候は野菜作り向きだ。
- Why
- Climate is not 'made for' anything; it naturally suits, so 向き.
- ✗
- 初心者向けな教材
- ✓
- 初心者向けの教材
- Why
- Before a noun both 向け and 向き take の.
Direction sense: 南向き (facing south), 前向き (positive attitude), 後ろ向き (negative attitude). 向け appears in business writing: 若者向け, 法人向け, 輸出向け. 不向き is only for 向き; there is no 不向け.
JLPT N3 tips
On the exam
- Ask 'was it designed for them?' → 向け; 'does it happen to suit them?' → 向き.
- Verbs like 作る, 書く, 開発する in the passive point to 向け.
- The direction meaning of 向き (南向き) can appear in vocabulary questions.
Frequently asked questions
What does 〜向け / 〜向き mean?
向け: intended for… (target audience); 向き: suitable for… (naturally suited). 〜向け means something was made or designed for a certain group: 子供向けの本 "a book (made) for children". 〜向き means something happens to suit a group, whether or not it was designed for them: この仕事は若い人向きだ "this job suits young people". 向け = intention; 向き = suitability.
How do you form 〜向け / 〜向き?
Noun + 向け + だ / の Noun / に Verb (初心者向けに説明する) / Noun + 向き + だ / の Noun / に Verb / Negative of 向き: 不向き (unsuitable) / 向きではない. V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
When is 〜向け / 〜向き used?
Marketing, product descriptions, advice: 初心者向け, 海外向け, 女性向き. 向き also means facing a direction: 南向きの部屋. Both attach to nouns and take の before a noun, に before a verb, だ at the end.
What is the difference between 〜向け / 〜向き and 〜のための?
'For the sake of' — general purpose; 向け specifically means the target audience of a product or message.
What is the difference between 〜向け / 〜向き and 〜に適している?
'Is suitable for' as a full predicate; 向き packs the same idea into a suffix.
What is a common mistake with 〜向け / 〜向き?
Wrong: この本は子供向きに書かれた。 Right: この本は子供向けに書かれた。 書かれた shows the writer's intention, so 向け (aimed at) is needed.
Quick check
この雑誌は若い女性（ ）に作られている。