Grammar Info

N3 Lesson 9: 3/22

向(む)き

Suitable for, Facing

Structure

Noun + 向(む)き

Details

  • Register

    Standard

  • 使用域

    一般

About 向き

向(む)き is another noun in Japanese that is frequently used as a suffix. 向(む)き comes from the intransitive verb 向(む)く, meaning 'to face'. This word is often attached to the end of other nouns, in order to show that something is 'facing (A)', or 'suitable for (A)'.
  • あなたは本当(ほんとう)に前(まえ) 向(む)きな人(ひと)なのですね。
    You really are a forward facing person! (You really are a positive thinker)
  • この部屋(へや)は何(なに) 向(む)きですか？
    Which way does this room face?
  • この本(ほん)は初心者(しょしんしゃ)向(む)きですか？
    Is this book suitable for beginners?
Due to 向(む)き being intransitive, it usually implies that something is facing toward (A) naturally, or through chance. Because of this, it may convey that something is 'suitable for (A)', but not necessarily designed specifically for it.
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).
  • 私(わたし)は子供(こども)向(む)けの本(ほん)を書(か)いています。
    I write books for children. (Intended for children)
  • 子供(こども)向(む)きのほんをさがしているのですが、お勧(すす)めはありますか？
    I am looking for books suitable for children, but do you have any recommendations? (Not necessarily intended for children, but still suitable)
When comparing 向(む)き and 向(む)け, the primary difference is that 向(む)き conveys that something is 'appropriate for (A)', while 向(む)け is closer to 'intended for (A)'.

Examples

  • このテキストは初心者(しょしんしゃ)向(む)きにできている。

    This textbook is suitable for beginners. (Literally - Facing)

  • この部屋(へや)は南(みなみ)向(む)きですか。

    Does this room face south?

  • この車(くるま)は大人数(おおにんずう)の家族(かぞく)向(む)きです。

    This car is suitable for large families.

  • それだと向(む)きが逆(ぎゃく)ですよ。

    If that's the case, the way it's facing is back to front.

  • 経済(けいざい)は上(うわ)向(む)きのようですね。

    The economy seems to be looking up.

    Note the special reading of 上 here.

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向き – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (2 in total)

  • eefara

    eefara

    A few questions related to the grammar point’s example sentences:

    それだと向きが逆ですよ。
    What is the だと doing here?

    誰にでも向き不向きがあるのは当然だ。
    Would it be possible to receive a little more explanation as to how 向き不向き is interacting here to get the translation " Of course, everyone has different suitabilities."? Both at component level (向き and 不向き) and with the sentence as a whole?

    風向きが変わってきたようだ。
    Why does 風’s pronunciation change here? Is 風向き a set phrase?

    And finally, if it’s not too much trouble, it didn’t look like there were any example sentences for the usages notes

    • [A向きB is used to express that B is suitable for A. However, B is not necessarily designed for A]

    and

    • [A向けB is used to express that B has been designed to be used by A. However, B is not necessarily limited to A]

    Would it be possible to see some?

  • Daru

    Daru

    Basically, a って。だと can mean すると or だと depending on the context! So it’s just basically marking ‘that’ as the subject.

    It’s a set expression/phrase! It’s just basical...

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