向(む)けIntended for, Aimed at

向(む)け is a shortened form of the transitive verb 向(む)ける 'to aim at', and is considered to be a 造語(ぞうご) (neologism). This means a word that was created for a specific purpose, and may not necessarily be used for anything outside of that purpose. The purpose of 向(む)け is to attach to other nouns, in order to express that something is 'intended for (A)', 'aimed at (A)', or 'oriented toward (A)'.

向(む)け may be seen followed by the case marking particle に (when followed by a phrase), or the case marking particle の, when linked with another noun.

• この教科書(きょうかしょ)は上級者(じょうきゅうしゃ)向(む)けに書(か)いてある。

  This textbook is written oriented toward advanced people.
• 子供(こども)向(む)けに書(か)かれた本(ほん)を読(よ)んで日本語(にほんご)を勉強(べんきょう)したら？

  Why don't you study Japanese by reading books written for children?
• オフィス向(む)けのパソコンを１０(じゅう)台(だい)買(か)うとしたらいくらになりますか。

  If I were to buy 10 computers intended for office use, how much would that cost?
• これは大人(おとな)向(む)けの映画(えいが)だから、お前(まえ)には見(み)せれないよ。

  This movie is intended for adults so I can't show it to you.

In terms of products and similar items, although 向(む)け highlights that something has been intended for (A), it doesn't necessarily mean that it is limited to (A).

• 私(わたし)が住(す)んでいる所(ところ)は一人(ひとり)暮(ぐ)らし向(む)けのアパートだけれども、３(さん)人(にん)家族(かぞく)でもなんの不便(ふべん)無(な)く住(す)める。

  The place I am living is intended for one person, but even as a three person family, we can live there with no inconveniences.

Caution

向(む)け, coming from the transitive verb 向(む)ける is used far more often to express that something has been specifically designed for (A). On the other hand, the suffix stemming from the intransitive verb 向(む)く, (向(む)き), expresses something that faces toward (A), but perhaps not intentionally.

• そのおもちゃは猫(ねこ)向(む)けに作(つく)られている。

  That toy is made for cats.
• 上級者(じょうきゅうしゃ)向(む)きの本(ほん)は難(むずか)しいです。

  Books suitable for advanced learners are hard.