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.
'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 fit / suit / pass
'passen' and 'anpassen' look similar, but they do not mean the same thing. 'Passen' describes a state: something already has the right size or is suitable for a situation. 'Anpassen' describes a change: you make something fit, or you adapt yourself to new circumstances. So a dress can already fit, or a seamstress can alter it. With plans, software, or behavior, 'anpassen' means that you adjust them to new conditions. The risk of confusion mainly comes from the similar form of the words.
Die Schneiderin passt die Jacke an, damit sie an den Schultern besser sitzt.
The seamstress is altering the jacket so that it fits better at the shoulders.
Die neue Lampe passt gut in unser Wohnzimmer.
The new lamp fits well in our living room.