向き

muki

JLPT N3 #59 of 182 in N3

Suitable for~

Indicates that something is designed or suited for a particular type of person or purpose.

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How to form it

Attach to a noun directly: Noun + 向き. For verbs, use the plain past tense or the dictionary form, but noun + 向き is the most common and safest pattern at this level.

What it means

This pattern means 'suitable for' or 'aimed at'. It is used when something is made, recommended, or appropriate for a certain group. For example, a movie can be 子供向き (for children), or a course can be 初心者向き (for beginners). It often appears in descriptions of products, services, or media. It is similar to 向け, but 向き suggests a general suitability, while 向け implies something is specifically 'directed' at an audience. In many contexts, they overlap, but with 向き you focus on the characteristics that match the person.

Example sentences

この本は子供向きですね。

Kono hon wa kodomo muki desu ne.

This book is suitable for children.

この映画は大人向きだから、子供は楽しめないかもしれない。

Kono eiga wa otona muki dakara, kodomo wa tanoshimenai kamoshirenai.

This movie is aimed at adults, so children might not enjoy it.

このアパートは一人暮らし向きだと思う。

Kono apāto wa hitorigurashi muki da to omou.

I think this apartment is suitable for living alone.

Don’t confuse it with

向け

向け means 'intended for' and is more about the target audience or purpose, often used in marketing. 向き focuses on inherent suitability. For example, 子供向けのアニメ is an anime made for kids, while 子供向きのアニメ is an anime that suits kids because of its content. In many cases they are interchangeable, but if you want to emphasize that something is 'designed' for a group, use 向け.

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話

When to use it

Neutral; used in both spoken and written Japanese, but more common in descriptive or explanatory statements.

Next in the N3 path

60

ながらもbut; although; despite

61

上げるto finish doing~

62

結局after all; eventually; in the end

63

合うdo something together

See the whole Grammar Path →

Questions

What does 向き mean?

Suitable for~. Indicates that something is designed or suited for a particular type of person or purpose.

How do you form 向き?

Attach to a noun directly: Noun + 向き. For verbs, use the plain past tense or the dictionary form, but noun + 向き is the most common and safest pattern at this level.

Example of 向き in a sentence

この本は子供向きですね。 — This book is suitable for children.

向け — what is the difference?

向け means 'intended for' and is more about the target audience or purpose, often used in marketing. 向き focuses on inherent suitability. For example, 子供向けのアニメ is an anime made for kids, while 子供向きのアニメ is an anime that suits kids because of its content. In many cases they are interchangeable, but if you want to emphasize that something is 'designed' for a group, use 向け.

What JLPT level is 向き?

JLPT N3 (intermediate), number 59 of 182 in Nihoner's learning order for N3.