〜向け

Noun + 向け means "made FOR that target" — the key point is the INTENT of whoever created it: 子ども向けの本 (a book written for children), 海外向けの車 (cars produced for overseas markets). What comes before 向け is the group of people or the market being targeted.

Usage: 向けの + noun when modifying a noun (初心者向けのコース), 向けに + verb when saying "do something aimed at that target" (子ども向けに書かれた — written for children).

The most confusable pair is 向き: 向け speaks of design intent, while 向き says the thing is BY ITSELF suited to someone. この料理は子ども向きだ means the dish happens to suit children (because it isn't spicy), even though the cook didn't make it specially for them; switch to 子ども向け and it becomes a dish deliberately cooked for children. Remember: 向け = "intended for," 向き = "suited to."

Examples

• これは子(こ)ども向(む)けに書(か)かれた本(ほん)です。

  This is a book written for children.

• この会社(かいしゃ)は海外向(かいがいむ)けの車(くるま)を作(つく)っています。

  This company makes cars for overseas markets.

• 初心者向(しょしんしゃむ)けの日本語(にほんご)コースを探(さが)しています。

  I'm looking for a Japanese course designed for beginners.

Related patterns

• 〜向き