向むけ

Meanings

intended for; aimed at; oriented towards

Noun suffix that attaches to a target group or purpose, indicating something is designed for or directed at that audience. Common in product descriptions, media, and instructions.

このゲームは子こ供ども向むけです。
This game is intended for children.
初しょ心しん者しゃ向むけのガイドブックを買かった。
I bought a guidebook aimed at beginners.

Usage patterns

〈人ひと〉向むけの〈物もの〉a thing designed/intended for a certain group of people
この絵え本ほんは小ちいさい子こ供ども向むけの本ほんです。
This picture book is intended for young children.
〈場ば所しょ〉向むけ〈物もの〉goods or services aimed at or shipped to a particular region
この車くるまは海かい外がい向むけに作つくられたモデルです。
This car is a model built for overseas markets.
〈事こと〉向むけに〈動どう詞し〉to design/adapt something for a certain purpose or use
このソフトはビジネス向むけに開かい発はつされた。
This software was developed for business use.

Expressions

に向むけてtowards (a destination); for the purpose of; targeting (a group)
大たい衆しゅう向むけmass-market; popular; down-market
コンシューマ向むけconsumer-oriented; for consumers
足あしを向むけて寝ねられないcan't sleep with one's feet pointing toward someone; feel deeply indebted
サービス付つき高こう齢れい者しゃ向むけ住じゅう宅たくhousing for the elderly with home-care services

Grammar

向むけIntended for; aimed atN3

Kanji

向yonder, facing, beyond

Related words

用ようN4
向け and 用 both attach to nouns to mark an intended user or purpose, but 向け highlights who the thing is aimed at (子供向け 'for kids') while 用 highlights the functional purpose (子供用 'for children's use').
専せん用ようN1
向け just marks a target audience, while 専用 adds the stronger nuance of exclusivity, meaning the thing is reserved solely for that group and no one else.
に向むけて
向け is a noun suffix meaning 'intended for' (as in product descriptions), while に向けて is a more verbal phrase expressing direction or purpose.
向むきN2
向け also means 'intended for' but stresses the target market or destination (海外向け), whereas 向き stresses suitability or appropriateness for a group.

Don't confuse with

向むきN2
向け is a suffix meaning 'intended for' that attaches to a target noun (子供向け), while 向き is a standalone noun meaning 'direction' or, separately, 'suitable for' (子供向きの本 is close in meaning but grammatically different).

Word family· 23

向むけるN3
turn toward; face; point; direct at · head for; go toward; set out for · allocate; allot; devote · send; dispatch · aim for; work toward; pursue
仰あお向むけN1
facing upward; on one's back
仕し向むけ
delivery; sending; treatment
手た向むけ
offering to a deity or spirit · farewell gift; parting tribute
顔かお向むけ
showing one's face; facing someone

Show 10 more

鼻はな向むけ
smelling; turning one's nose toward a smell
一いっ般ぱん向むけ
for the general public; for the general market
万ばん人にん向むけ
for everyone; suiting all tastes
仰あお向むける
turn face up; lay face up
個こ人じん向むけ
for individuals; consumer-oriented; personal use
向むけ直なおす
redirect; turn again; reorient
向むけ直なおる
change direction; turn around; reorient
国こく内ない向むけ
for domestic use; for the domestic market
大人おとな向むけ
for adults; aimed at adults
子こ供ども向むけ
for children; aimed at children; child-friendly

See all 23 in Explore →

Etymology

Derived from the verb 向ける (mukeru, 'to turn toward'), used as a suffix to indicate the intended recipient or target.

向むけ

Common wordJLPTN1