Grammar Info

N3 Lesson 9: 4/22

向(む)け

Intended for, Aimed at

Structure

Noun + 向(む)け（に）
Noun + 向け + の + Noun

Details

  • Register

    Standard

  • 使用域

    一般

About 向け

向(む)け is a shortened form of the transitive verb 向(む)ける 'to aim at', and is considered to be a 造語(ぞうご) (neologism). This means a word that was created for a specific purpose, and may not necessarily be used for anything outside of that purpose. The purpose of 向(む)け is to attach to other nouns, in order to express that something is 'intended for (A)', 'aimed at (A)', or 'oriented toward (A)'.
向(む)け may be seen followed by the case marking particle に (when followed by a phrase), or the case marking particle の, when linked with another noun.
  • この教科書(きょうかしょ)は上級者(じょうきゅうしゃ)向(む)けに書(か)いてある。
    This textbook is written oriented toward advanced people.
  • 子供(こども)向(む)けに書(か)かれた本(ほん)を読(よ)んで日本語(にほんご)を勉強(べんきょう)したら？
    Why don't you study Japanese by reading books written for children?
  • オフィス向(む)けのパソコンを10台(だい)買(か)うとしたらいくらになりますか。
    If I were to buy 10 computers intended for office use, how much would that cost?
  • これは大人(おとな)向(む)けの映画(えいが)だから、お前(まえ)には見(み)せれないよ。
    This movie is intended for adults so I can't show it to you.
In terms of products and similar items, although 向(む)け highlights that something has been intended for (A), it doesn't necessarily mean that it is limited to (A).
  • 私(わたし)が住(す)んでいる所(ところ)は一人(ひとり)暮(ぐ)らし向(む)けのアパートだけれども、3人(にん)家族(かぞく)でもなんの不便(ふべん)無(な)く住(す)める。
    The place I am living is intended for one person, but even as a three person family, we can live there with no inconveniences.
Caution
向(む)け, coming from the transitive verb 向(む)ける is used far more often to express that something has been specifically designed for (A). On the other hand, the suffix stemming from the intransitive verb 向(む)く, (向(む)き), expresses something that faces toward (A), but perhaps not intentionally.
  • そのおもちゃは猫(ねこ)向(む)けに作(つく)られている。
    That toy is made for cats.
  • 上級者(じょうきゅうしゃ)向(む)きの本(ほん)は難(むずか)しいです。
    Books suitable for advanced learners are hard.

Examples

  • この番組(ばんぐみ)は大人(おとな)向(む)けだ。

    This TV program is aimed at adults.

  • この教科書(きょうかしょ)は算数(さんすう)を学(まな)んでいる人(ひと)向(む)けだから、日本語(にほんご)を学(まな)んでいる人(ひと)には役(やく)に立(た)たない。

    This textbook is intended for people who are learning math, so it won't help those who are studying Japanese.

  • ドラゴンボールはアニメだけど、若者(わかもの)向(む)けだ。小学生(しょうがくせい)以下(いか)の子供(こども)向(む)けじゃない。

    'Dragonball' is an anime aimed at young people, but it is not intended for elementary school students or younger.

  • まずは初心者(しょしんしゃ)向(む)けの参考書(さんこうしょ)を勉強(べんきょう)した方(ほう)がいいですよ。

    First of all, I think it would be better if you studied with a textbook aimed at beginners.

  • これは海外(かいがい)向(む)けの番組(ばんぐみ)だから、何(なに)を言(い)っているのか全然(ぜんぜん)分(わ)からない。

    This is a TV program aimed at foreigners, so I have no idea what is being said.

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向け – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (2 in total)

  • megatron0000

    megatron0000

    I would like to inform that the “Community Discussion” link on the grammar page is not redirecting to here !

    Also, I found this link to be helpful at making sure I understood the difference (although maybe minimal) between 向け and 向き. Would it be desirable to have it listed among the “Readings” ?

  • mrnoone

    mrnoone

    Hey

    I would like to inform that the “Community Discussion” link on the grammar page is not redirecting to here !

    Fixed！

    Also, I found this link to be helpful at making sure I understood the difference (although maybe minimal) between 向け and 向き. Would it be desirable to have it listed among the “Readings” ?

    I have added it, very good explanation

    Thank you!

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