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JLPT N3Expressions

～向きだ／～向き— Suited For / Facing

Shows that something happens to be suitable or well-matched for a certain person or purpose (not deliberately designed for them), or literally that something faces a direction. The nuance is 'turns out to fit / is a good match', as opposed to being intentionally made for a target.

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Pro lessonUNIT 91 · EXPRESSIONS

Structure · 形

[Noun] + 向き(だ); also 南向き, 上向き (facing south / upward)

Examples · 例文

  • この本は初心者向きだ。

    Kono hon wa shoshinsha muki da.

    This book is well suited for beginners.

    初心者 + 向きだ = happens to fit beginners well

  • 南向きの部屋は明るくて人気がある。

    Minami-muki no heya wa akarukute ninki ga aru.

    South-facing rooms are bright and popular.

    南 + 向き = facing the direction south

  • 彼の性格は営業向きだと思う。

    Kare no seikaku wa eigyou muki da to omou.

    I think his personality is suited to sales.

    営業 + 向き = a good match for sales work

Usage notes · 注意

  • 向き = 'suits by nature / happens to fit'; not made on purpose.
  • Also literal orientation: 上向き (upward), 前向き (positive/forward-looking).
  • Can modify a noun with の: 家族向きのプラン.

Commonly confused with

The JLPT rarely asks whether you recognise a pattern — it asks which of several similar patterns fits. These are the ones ～向きだ／～向き is tested against.

vs向け

向き means 'happens to suit'; 向け means 'deliberately made/aimed for' a specific target audience.

vsに適している

向きだ is a light, everyday way to say 'suitable'; ～に適している is more formal and explicit about suitability.

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