to adapt / adjust
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to adapt
To adjust one's behavior or way of life to new circumstances, a new environment, or a group.
Als er ins Ausland zog, musste er sich an die neue Kultur anpassen.
When he moved abroad, he had to adapt to the new culture.
to alter
To change an object, especially clothing, so that it has the right size or shape.
Die Hose war zu lang, also ließ ich sie vom Schneider anpassen.
The pants were too long, so I had them altered by the tailor.
to adjust
To adapt something (e.g., software or a plan) to specific requirements, needs, or circumstances.
Wir müssen die Strategie an die veränderte Marktsituation anpassen.
We need to adjust the strategy to the changed market situation.
'Anpassen' (to adapt / adjust) is a separable verb made up of 'an' (to/at) and 'passen' (to fit). The base verb 'passen' means 'to have the right size' or 'to be suitable'. The prefix 'an' expresses adjustment or alignment. So 'anpassen' means to make something suitable for something else.
Der Techniker passt die Einstellungen an die Wünsche des Kunden an.
The technician adjusts the settings to the customer's wishes.
The prefix 'an' is separable and goes at the end in a main clause. In a subordinate clause, the whole verb goes at the end, and in the infinitive with 'zu', 'zu' goes between 'an' and 'passen'.
Ich passe meine Pläne dem Wetter an.
I adjust my plans to the weather.
It is important to distinguish between the reflexive and transitive uses. 'Sich anpassen' (to adapt) means that a person changes their own behavior. 'Etwas anpassen' (to adjust something) means that you change an object or thing.
Die Kinder haben sich schnell an die neue Schule angepasst.
The children adapted quickly to the new school.
The target of the adjustment is expressed with the preposition 'an' and the accusative. This applies to both the reflexive and the transitive use.
Man muss seine Geschwindigkeit an die Verkehrsverhältnisse anpassen.
You have to adjust your speed to the traffic conditions.
to change
Ändern generally means making something different. Anpassen means making a change specifically in line with certain requirements, needs, or circumstances. With a text, anpassen is therefore especially appropriate when a specific target audience is the standard used to guide the changes.
Die Autorin passt mehrere Sätze des Textes an junge Leser an.
The author adapts several sentences in the text for young readers.
Die Autorin ändert mehrere Sätze des Textes, weil sie ihr nicht gefallen.
The author changes several sentences in the text because she does not like them.
