～向き — Suited Toward
Attaches to a noun to mean 'suited to / appropriate for' a group or purpose, or literally 'facing' a direction. As a suffix it indicates something is well-matched to a certain audience or orientation, often as a natural fit rather than a deliberate design.
Structure
[Noun] + 向き
Examples
この本は初心者向きだ。
Kono hon wa shoshinsha muki da.
This book is well suited to beginners.
向き shows the book is a natural fit for beginners.
南向きの部屋は日当たりがいい。
Minamimuki no heya wa hiatari ga ii.
A south-facing room gets good sunlight.
向き here means the literal direction the room faces.
この料理は子供向きの味付けになっている。
Kono ryōri wa kodomomuki no ajitsuke ni natte iru.
This dish is seasoned in a way suited to children.
向き indicates the seasoning naturally suits children's tastes.
• Register: neutral, everyday. • 向き = 'naturally suited to' or 'facing'; often about a good fit, not intentional design. • Contrast 向け, which means 'made/intended for' a target.
Commonly confused with
The JLPT rarely asks whether you recognise a pattern — it asks which of several similar patterns fits. These are the ones ～向き is tested against.
vs ～向け
向け means deliberately made or intended for a target (子供向けの番組 = a program produced for children); 向き means naturally suited to or facing (子供向き = happens to suit children).
vs ～用
用 means 'for the use/purpose of' (business 用 = for business use); 向き describes suitability or orientation, not designated use.
More expressions
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