Usage patterns 〈 人ひと 〉 向む けの 〈 物もの 〉 a thing designed/intended for a certain group of people
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
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
This software was developed for business use.
Expressions に 向む けて towards (a destination); for the purpose of; targeting (a group) 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 Related words 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').
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.
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 turn toward; face; point; direct at · head for; go toward; set out for · allocate; allot; devote · send; dispatch · aim for; work toward; pursue
facing upward; on one's back
delivery; sending; treatment
offering to a deity or spirit · farewell gift; parting tribute
showing one's face; facing someone
Show 10 more Show fewer smelling; turning one's nose toward a smell
for the general public; for the general market
for everyone; suiting all tastes
turn face up; lay face up
for individuals; consumer-oriented; personal use
redirect; turn again; reorient
change direction; turn around; reorient
for domestic use; for the domestic market
for adults; aimed at adults
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.
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