Nihoner
向け
N3 GRAMMAR ⏱ 0s study 📖 0 today
muke
intended for; aimed at~
Next →
🃏 Flashcard
向け
muke
Tap to reveal usage
intended for; aimed at~
N3
Tap to test your recall · +10 XP
📊 Pattern Stats
JLPT Level N3
Intermediate · Expressing nuance & contrast
Reading muke
Post ID 50873
Patterns today 0
0 / 10 daily goal
📝 Usage Notes

intended for; aimed at~

📖 How to use it

This pattern indicates that something is intended for or aimed at a particular group or purpose.

Attaches to Attach to a noun directly, or to the plain form of a verb (dictionary form) followed by の (e.g., 子供向け, 大人向け, 初心者向け, 学習者向け).

向け (muke) means 'aimed at' or 'intended for'. It is used when describing a product, event, or service that is designed for a specific audience. You place it after the noun that represents the target group. For example, 子供向けの本 means 'a book intended for children'. It is often used in advertising and product descriptions.

It can also follow a verb in its dictionary form to describe an action that is directed toward a group, but this is less common. Usually, you will see it as a compound noun with the target group, followed by の when modifying another noun. In speech, you might say something like この映画は子供向けです to say 'This movie is for children.'

Be careful not to confuse 向け with 向き (muki), which has a similar meaning but is often used to describe suitability or orientation, like 'facing' or 'suited for'. 向け is more about intention or design for a target audience.

これは初心者向けの教科書です。
Kore wa shoshinsha muke no kyoukasho desu.
This is a textbook for beginners.
この雑誌は女性向けに作られました。
Kono zasshi wa josei muke ni tsukuraremashita.
This magazine was made for women.
あの店は外国人向けの料理を出しています。
Ano mise wa gaikokujin muke no ryouri o dashite imasu.
That restaurant serves food for foreigners.
Not 向き (muki) 向け focuses on the intended target audience, while 向き can mean 'suitable for' based on personal taste or characteristics. For example, 子供向けのアニメ is an anime made for kids, whereas 子供向きのアニメ can also be used, but 向き sometimes implies that it happens to be suitable, not necessarily designed for them.
Register This pattern is neutral and used in both spoken and written Japanese, but it appears frequently in advertisements, product labels, and formal descriptions.
🎯 Quick Quiz
What does this grammar pattern mean or do?
向け
📚 How to Master This Pattern
🔊
Say It Aloud
Press Hear it and repeat 向け three times. Feel the rhythm — grammar patterns have a natural flow.
🃏
Flip Before Reading
Always try to recall the usage before flipping the card. Struggle = learning. Every failed recall makes the next one stick harder.
✍️
Write Two Sentences
Compose two original sentences using 向け. One about yourself, one about something you see right now.
⏰
Spaced Review
Save this pattern and revisit at 10 min, 1 day, 3 days. Production (writing) beats recognition for grammar.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What does the grammar pattern 向け mean? ▼
Intended for; aimed at~
What JLPT level is 向け? ▼
Nihoner currently groups this pattern under JLPT N3 — Intermediate · Expressing nuance & contrast. Use the level label as study guidance rather than a prediction of what will appear on an exam.
How do you use 向け in a sentence? ▼
Attach 向け (muke) to the appropriate verb or noun form as described in the usage notes. Then try writing two original sentences — one about yourself and one about something around you.
Is 向け formal or casual Japanese? ▼
向け is used in both casual and polite contexts. It appears frequently in everyday conversation, textbooks, and simple written materials.
How can I remember 向け long-term? ▼
Use the flashcard on this page for active recall — see the pattern, reconstruct the usage from memory, then flip. Follow with the 4-choice quiz to distinguish it from similar patterns. Review later the same day and again over the following days. Writing original sentences can help you practise using the pattern in context.