816 - 向きに（むきに）
We just saw 向けに (むけに) in our last N3 lesson, which is used when saying that something is "intended for" or "targeting" a certain audience:
これはプロ向けに作られたカメラです。
これ は プロ むけに つくられた カメラ です。
This camera was made for professionals. // This camera was designed to be used by pros.
Literally: “this + は + pro + intended for / aimed at + に + was made + camera + です.”
I tend to mix up the meanings of 向けに (むけに), shown above, and 向きに (むきに), which is used when something is "suited to," "appealing to," or "(good) for" a certain audience... though that "something" wasn't necessarily made solely to be used by that certain audience.
An example:
このパンフレットは子供向きにやさしい言葉で書いてあります。
この パンフレット は こども むきに やさしい ことば で かいてあります。
This pamphlet is written in easy-to-understand language appropriate for children.
Literally: “this + pamphlet + は + children + suited to + に + easy + words / language + で + is written.”
In this sentence, the pamphlet in question is not necessarily intended to be read by only children. Rather, it just contains easy-to-understand language that is suitable for children.
Does the distinction between 向けに and 向きに really matter all that much?
Well, technically, I suppose it does. If you attend a Japanese class or read a grammar book, you'll come across this distinction. And in real life people do seem to be adhering to the distinct proper usages of 向けに and 向きに. But Rei and I suspect that a lot of average Japanese people have never actually noticed that this distinction between the usage of 向けに and 向きに is being made.
👷 Construction 👷
Forming phrases with 向きに is identical to what we saw with 向けに：
NOUN ＋ 向けに
intended for NOUN; aimed at NOUN; targeting NOUN
NOUN ＋ 向きに
suited to NOUN; (good) for NOUN; appealing to NOUN
Like we saw with 向けに, when 向きに is followed by another NOUN, then you should say 向きの（むきの）instead:
渋谷109には若い女性向きのおしゃれな店がたくさん入っている。
しぶや イチマルキュー に は わかい じょせい むきの おしゃれな みせ が たくさん はいっている。
Shibuya 109 has a lot of fashionable shops that appeal to young women.
Literally: “Shibuya 109 + に + は + young + female + suited to + の + fancy / stylish / nice + store / shop + が + many + are entering / is containing.”
This is Shibuya 109, by the way:
It's not far from Shibuya's famous "scramble crossing" (the ridiculously crowded crosswalk outside the station).
Another example of「NOUN 向きの NOUN」：
御岳山は都心からのアクセスが良くケーブルカーもあるので、初心者向きの山です。
みたけさん は としん から の アクセス が よく ケーブルカー も ある ので、 しょしんしゃ むきの やま です。
Mt. Mitake can be conveniently accessed from the city center, and it has a cable car, so it is a good mountain for beginners.
Literally: “Mitake-san + は + city center / heart of the city (esp. Tokyo) + from + の + access + が + good (and) + cable car + も + there is / has + because (=ので), + beginner + suited to + の + mountain + です.”
I've never been to 御岳山 (みたけさん // Mt. Mitake), but it looks pretty cool:
(Photo source: Yokota Travel)
It's also not that far from central Tokyo (as indicated in our example sentence), which is nice.
Again, like we saw with 向けに, when you want to put 向きに at the end of a clause, then it should be followed by a copula (i.e. です、だ、etc.) instead of に, as in the following example. (Note that at the end of a casual sentence, just saying 向き is fine.)
わたしは乗り物が大好きなので、この仕事はまさにわたし向きです。
わたし は のりもの が だいすきな ので、 この しごと は まさに わたし むきです。
I love vehicles, so this job really is perfect for me.
Literally: “I + は + vehicle + が + loved + because (=ので), + this + job + は + truly + I + suited to + です.”
Note: The speaker might be talking about a job as a train conductor, for example.
Finished!