to align
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to align
To change something so that it becomes more similar to another thing or matches it; to adapt or harmonize something.
Die Firma muss die Gehälter der neuen Mitarbeiter an das bestehende Lohnniveau angleichen.
The company has to align the salaries of the new employees with the existing wage level.
'Angleichen' (to align / to adapt) is a separable verb. The prefix 'an-' separates from the verb in a main clause and stands at the end of the sentence.
Der Betrieb gleicht die Arbeitszeiten an die neuen Regeln an.
The company aligns working hours with the new rules.
The difference between the meanings is grammatically clear: Without 'sich', it means that the subject changes another thing (the object). With the reflexive pronoun 'sich', it means that the subject changes or adapts itself.
Wir gleichen die Farben dem Original an.
We align the colors with the original.
When something is adjusted, the structure is: subject + 'angleichen' (to align) + accusative object (what is being adjusted?) + 'an' + accusative object (what is it being adjusted to?).
Die Schule muss ihren Lehrplan an die modernen Anforderungen angleichen.
The school has to align its curriculum with modern requirements.
When someone or something adapts, the structure is: subject + 'sich angleichen' (to adapt oneself) + 'an' + accusative object (what does it adapt to?).
Ein Chamäleon kann sich an seine Umgebung angleichen.
A chameleon can adapt to its surroundings.
to adapt / adjust
'anpassen' and 'angleichen' are close in meaning because both describe a change in the direction of something else. 'anpassen' is more general and mainly says that something should fit a situation, a need, or an environment. 'angleichen' emphasizes more strongly that two things should become more similar to each other or match. You adjust a plan to new conditions, but you align prices, rules, or data with each other. With people, you can also say that they adapt to a group or become more like it; 'sich anpassen' sounds more natural in everyday language.
Die Firma gleicht die Preise in allen Filialen an.
The company aligns the prices in all branches.
Die Mitarbeiterin passt ihre Arbeitszeiten an den neuen Dienstplan an.
The employee adjusts her working hours to the new duty roster.