Updated on March 6, 2024
At its core, 'adjustment' refers to the act of altering something to suit new circumstances or preferences. This simple concept holds great significance in our daily lives, as we constantly make adjustments to navigate an ever-changing world. From a slight shift in perspective to a major life change, adjustments shape our experiences and help us adapt to new environments, cultures, and relationships.
The importance of adjustment extends beyond the individual level, influencing various aspects of society and culture. In many Eastern philosophies, for instance, the concept of 'wu wei' emphasizes harmony through flexible and spontaneous response to changing circumstances - a form of adjustment. Similarly, in Western psychology, the concept of 'cognitive flexibility' highlights the ability to adjust one's thoughts and behaviors in response to new situations.
Understanding the nuances of adjustment in different languages can enrich our cross-cultural communication and foster deeper connections with people around the world. Here are a few translations to get you started:
Afrikaans | aanpassing | ||
"Aanpassing" was used to mean "customization" in older Afrikaans (e.g. in clothes), but this meaning is now obsolete. | |||
Amharic | ማስተካከያ | ||
In some contexts, ማስተካከያ can also mean repair, restoration, correction, or rectification. | |||
Hausa | daidaitawa | ||
In an alternate sense, "daidaitawa" can refer to the act of balancing or equating two or more things | |||
Igbo | ukpụhọde | ||
The Igbo word "ukpụhọde" is also used to describe "re-adjusting to fit a new situation or place". | |||
Malagasy | fanitsiana | ||
The Malagasy word "fanitsiana" can also refer to the act of fitting or adapting something. | |||
Nyanja (Chichewa) | kusintha | ||
The Nyanja word "kusintha" also means "to fit" or "to be appropriate". | |||
Shona | kugadzirisa | ||
The word "kugadzirisa" shares etymological roots with "kugadzira", meaning "to create or build", hence its dual connotation in engineering (alteration) and carpentry (construction). | |||
Somali | hagaajinta | ||
The Somali word "hagaajinta" can also refer to the process of correcting or improving something. | |||
Sesotho | phetoho | ||
The verb '-heta' or '-hoha' can be used when one wants to adjust something slightly. | |||
Swahili | marekebisho | ||
The Swahili word "marekebisho" can also refer to editing, tuning, or a corrective measure. | |||
Xhosa | uhlengahlengiso | ||
"Uhlengahlengiso" originates from the Xhosa word "hlengahlengisa," meaning "to regulate," and is a broader term that can encompass various forms of adjustments or modifications. | |||
Yoruba | tolesese | ||
The Yoruba word "tolesese" also means "to fit in" or "to be appropriate." | |||
Zulu | ukulungiswa | ||
The word "ukulungiswa" in Zulu has an alternate meaning of "being put in order". | |||
Bambara | ladilanni kɛli | ||
Ewe | asitɔtrɔ le ame ŋu | ||
Kinyarwanda | guhindura | ||
Lingala | kobongisa makambo | ||
Luganda | okutereeza | ||
Sepedi | peakanyo ya go dira dilo | ||
Twi (Akan) | nsakrae a wɔyɛ | ||
Arabic | تعديل | ||
"تعديل" also means "to moderate", "to reconcile", or "to make concessions". | |||
Hebrew | התאמה | ||
"התאמה" comes from the root "תאם" and also means "suitability", "fitness", or "correspondence". | |||
Pashto | سمول | ||
The word "سمول" in Pashto is derived from the Arabic root "سَمَلَ", which means "to mark" or "to level." | |||
Arabic | تعديل | ||
"تعديل" also means "to moderate", "to reconcile", or "to make concessions". |
Albanian | rregullimi | ||
The word "rregullimi" in Albanian comes from the Latin word "regularis", meaning "according to rule". | |||
Basque | doikuntza | ||
"Doikuntza" is derived from the Basque word "doitu," meaning "to adjust" or "to fit." | |||
Catalan | ajust | ||
The Catalan word "ajust," meaning "adjustment," comes from the Latin word "adjustificare," meaning "to justify," from "ad-" (to) and "justificare" (to justify). | |||
Croatian | podešavanje | ||
The word podešavanje can also mean "calibration" or "regulation". | |||
Danish | justering | ||
The word "justering" derives from the Old French word "juster", meaning "to adapt" or "to make fit". | |||
Dutch | aanpassing | ||
The Dutch word "aanpassing" also means "adaptation" or "conformity". | |||
English | adjustment | ||
In economics, an "adjustment" can refer to a change in price or supply to bring about a new equilibrium. | |||
French | ajustement | ||
The word `ajustement` can also refer to a dress fitting or a legal settlement in French. | |||
Frisian | oanpassing | ||
"Oanpassing" (adjustment) is derived from the verb "oanpasse" (to adjust) and has similar meanings in Dutch and German. | |||
Galician | axuste | ||
The term "axuste" is derived from the Latin word "adjustitia" via the Spanish word "ajuste". | |||
German | einstellung | ||
The German word "Einstellung" also denotes one's attitude or perspective. | |||
Icelandic | aðlögun | ||
The word "aðlögun" primarily means "adaptation" or "conformity" and is derived from the Old Norse word "aðlag" meaning "to fit". In psychology, it specifically refers to the process of adapting to new or changed circumstances. | |||
Irish | coigeartú | ||
The word "coigeartú" can also refer to a "reformation" or "restructuring". | |||
Italian | regolazione | ||
In music, regolazione is a term for the tuning of an instrument or voice to a particular pitch or interval. | |||
Luxembourgish | upassung | ||
Upassung also means reconciliation in the context of accounting. | |||
Maltese | aġġustament | ||
Maltese "aġġustament" relates to Arabic "ʿaḏāma" (honour) and means "justice" in a legal sense. | |||
Norwegian | justering | ||
"Justering" is derived from the German "justieren" and also means "calibration". | |||
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil) | ajustamento | ||
In Portuguese, "ajustamento" can also refer to a financial settlement or a diplomatic agreement. | |||
Scots Gaelic | atharrachadh | ||
A derivative of the word 'atharrach' meaning 'to repair', 'atharrachadh' is also a traditional musical term for 'variations'. | |||
Spanish | ajustamiento | ||
In Spanish, "ajustamiento" can also refer to a settlement or agreement, as well as to a military execution or a judicial punishment. | |||
Swedish | justering | ||
The word "justering" is derived from the Latin word "iustificare", meaning "to make just". It is also a homophone of the English word "justice". | |||
Welsh | addasiad | ||
The word "addasiad" is also used in Welsh to refer to a small adjustment or tweak. |
Belarusian | карэкціроўка | ||
The word "карэкціроўка" is also used in the context of editing and correcting texts. | |||
Bosnian | podešavanje | ||
Podešavanje is a Bosnian word that also means "tuning" or "calibration". | |||
Bulgarian | настройка | ||
The word “настройка” (“tuning”) is also used in Bulgarian to refer to “software fine-tuning,” “radio signal adjustment,” or “musical instrument tuning.” | |||
Czech | nastavení | ||
The word "nastavení" in Czech comes from the verb "nastavit", meaning "to set up" or "to adjust", and also has the meanings "settings" or "options". | |||
Estonian | kohandamine | ||
Estonian "kohandamine" comes from "kohendama" (to adapt). In Finnish, "kohtaaminen" (to meet) also comes from the same root. | |||
Finnish | säätö | ||
The word "säätö" in Finnish also refers to a type of dance that involves improvised movements and is typically performed in pairs. | |||
Hungarian | beállítás | ||
In Hungarian, "beállítás" derives from "állít" meaning "to stand", and can also refer to "setting", "installation" or "staging". | |||
Latvian | pielāgošana | ||
The term "pielāgošanas" stems from "pielāgot" ("to adjust"), deriving from "piela" ("near") and "līdz" ("until"), suggesting the idea of bringing something close to an expected state. | |||
Lithuanian | koregavimas | ||
Koregavimas also means a 'small measure of alcoholic beverage'. | |||
Macedonian | прилагодување | ||
In Macedonian, the word "прилагодување" can also refer to the process of adapting or modifying something to suit a specific purpose. | |||
Polish | dostosowanie | ||
The word "dostosowanie" comes from the Old Polish verb "dostosować" meaning "to adapt" or "to adjust", which is derived from the Proto-Slavic verb *dostojati, meaning "to stand". | |||
Romanian | ajustare | ||
From Latin *ad-iustare*, meaning "to bring into proper position". | |||
Russian | корректировка | ||
In Russian, the word «корректировка» can also refer to changes made to a plan or route. | |||
Serbian | прилагођавање | ||
The word “прилагођавање” can also mean “customization” or “adaptation.” | |||
Slovak | úprava | ||
The word "úprava" in Slovak also means "hairstyle" or "arrangement". | |||
Slovenian | prilagoditev | ||
The Slovene word 'prilagoditev' derives from the verb 'prilagoditi' ('to adjust'), which is itself derived from the prefix 'pri-' ('to') and the verb 'lagoditi' ('to harmonize'). | |||
Ukrainian | регулювання | ||
"Регулювання" can also mean "regulation" or "control". |
Bengali | সমন্বয় | ||
সমন্বয় can also mean 'coordination', 'harmony', or 'synchronization'. | |||
Gujarati | ગોઠવણ | ||
The Gujerati word "ગોઠવણ" can also mean "arrangement" or "settlement", and is derived from the Sanskrit root 'gath' (join). | |||
Hindi | समायोजन | ||
In Sanskrit, समायोजन (samayojana) means "binding" or "connection." | |||
Kannada | ಹೊಂದಾಣಿಕೆ | ||
The word "ಹೊಂದಾಣಿಕೆ" is also used to describe the process of making something fit together. | |||
Malayalam | ക്രമീകരണം | ||
The word "ക്രമീകരണം" in Malayalam holds additional meanings such as regulation, rectification, and arrangement. | |||
Marathi | समायोजन | ||
The Marathi word "समायोजन" can also refer to the process of making something fit or adapt. | |||
Nepali | समायोजन | ||
The term 'समायोजन' originates from the Sanskrit word 'samāyojana' meaning 'joining' or 'connection' | |||
Punjabi | ਵਿਵਸਥਾ | ||
The word "ਵਿਵਸਥਾ" in Punjabi can also refer to a system or arrangement, a settlement or agreement, and a scheme or plan. | |||
Sinhala (Sinhalese) | ගැලපීම | ||
The word "ගැලපීම" has additional meanings in Sinhala, including "adaptation" and "compatibility." | |||
Tamil | சரிசெய்தல் | ||
Telugu | సర్దుబాటు | ||
The Telugu word "সরদুবাতু" can also mean "change" or "alteration". | |||
Urdu | ایڈجسٹمنٹ | ||
The word "ایڈجسٹمنٹ" ("adjustment") is derived from the Latin word "ad-" (to, toward) and "justus" (just, fair). |
Chinese (Simplified) | 调整 | ||
调整 can also mean "to move something back and forth until the correct balance or position is achieved". | |||
Chinese (Traditional) | 調整 | ||
調整 in Chinese (Traditional) can also mean "to arrange" or "to regulate". | |||
Japanese | 調整 | ||
The word 調整 has an alternate meaning of "adjustment of accounts" in accounting. | |||
Korean | 조정 | ||
조정 originated from the Japanese word 認 (adjustment), which is in turn likely derived from the English word "adjust". Its other meanings can include 멕뻘 (coordination), 주동 (negotiation), and 신놜리 (management). | |||
Mongolian | тохируулга | ||
The Mongolian word 'тохируулга' can also mean 'fitting' or 'adaptation'. | |||
Myanmar (Burmese) | ညှိနှိုင်းမှု | ||
Indonesian | pengaturan | ||
Though "pengaturan" translates to "adjustment", it also has the alternate meaning of "regulation". | |||
Javanese | imbuhan | ||
The alternate meaning of "imbuhan" in Javanese is "affix". | |||
Khmer | ការលៃតម្រូវ | ||
Lao | ການປັບຕົວ | ||
Malay | penyesuaian | ||
"Penyesuaian" also means "adaptation" in English, and it is derived from the word "sesuai" which means "fit". | |||
Thai | การปรับ | ||
The Thai word "การปรับ" can also mean "to adjust" or "to change". | |||
Vietnamese | điều chỉnh | ||
"Điều chỉnh" also means "regulate" in Vietnamese. | |||
Filipino (Tagalog) | pagsasaayos | ||
Azerbaijani | tənzimləmə | ||
In addition to its primary meaning of "adjustment", "tənzimləmə" also means "regulation" or "management" in Azerbaijani. | |||
Kazakh | реттеу | ||
The word "реттеу" is derived from the root "рет", which means "straighten" or "align". | |||
Kyrgyz | тууралоо | ||
The word "тууралоо" comes from the Kyrgyz word "туура", meaning "correct" or "straight", and denotes the process of making something conform to a standard or rule. | |||
Tajik | тасҳеҳ | ||
The word "тасҳеҳ" can also mean "correction" or "amendment". | |||
Turkmen | sazlamak | ||
Uzbek | moslashish | ||
"Moslashish" can mean both "reconciliation" and "adjustment" due to the Uzbek alphabet's lack of distinction between "o" and "u". | |||
Uyghur | تەڭشەش | ||
Hawaiian | hoʻoponopono | ||
The word "hoʻoponopono" in Hawaiian can also refer to a traditional practice of conflict resolution and reconciliation. | |||
Maori | whakatikatika | ||
The word "whakatikatika" in Maori also means "to amend" or "to correct". | |||
Samoan | fetuunaiga | ||
The term 'fetuunaiga' originates from the Samoan words 'fetuu' (star) and 'aiga' (family), hence signifying family constellation. | |||
Tagalog (Filipino) | pagsasaayos | ||
The verb "aayos" means "to repair" or "to adjust" while the prefix "pag-" refers to noun phrase, and "sa" is a "passive" or "subject-focus" marker. Thus, "pagsasaayos" can be interpreted as a "state of being adjusted". |
Aymara | chiqañchaña | ||
Guarani | ajuste rehegua | ||
Esperanto | ĝustigo | ||
The word "ĝustigo" in Esperanto can also mean "justification" or "vindication". | |||
Latin | tionibus | ||
The word "tionibus" in Latin can also refer to a process or action, or to the state or condition of something. |
Greek | προσαρμογή | ||
The word "προσαρμογή" also means "adaptation". | |||
Hmong | hloov li cas lawm | ||
Hmong 'hloov li cas lawm' means 'move to a new house' or 'to adjust' to a new situation. | |||
Kurdish | lêanî | ||
The word "lêanî" in Kurdish derives from the Indo-European root "*reh₁-", meaning "to set in order". | |||
Turkish | ayarlama | ||
"Ayarlama" is derived from the Arabic word "ta'dil" meaning "to make just or equal". | |||
Xhosa | uhlengahlengiso | ||
"Uhlengahlengiso" originates from the Xhosa word "hlengahlengisa," meaning "to regulate," and is a broader term that can encompass various forms of adjustments or modifications. | |||
Yiddish | אַדזשאַסטמאַנט | ||
While most of Yiddish comes from German, this word instead traces its roots to English. | |||
Zulu | ukulungiswa | ||
The word "ukulungiswa" in Zulu has an alternate meaning of "being put in order". | |||
Assamese | সমন্বয় | ||
Aymara | chiqañchaña | ||
Bhojpuri | समायोजन के काम कइल जाला | ||
Dhivehi | އެޖެސްޓް ކުރުމެވެ | ||
Dogri | समायोजन करना | ||
Filipino (Tagalog) | pagsasaayos | ||
Guarani | ajuste rehegua | ||
Ilocano | panagbalbaliw | ||
Krio | ajɔstmɛnt | ||
Kurdish (Sorani) | ڕێکخستن | ||
Maithili | समायोजन के लिये | ||
Meiteilon (Manipuri) | ꯑꯦꯗꯖꯁ꯭ꯇꯃꯦꯟꯇ ꯇꯧꯕꯥ꯫ | ||
Mizo | siamthatna a ni | ||
Oromo | sirreeffama | ||
Odia (Oriya) | ଆଡଜଷ୍ଟମେଣ୍ଟ୍ | ||
Quechua | allichay | ||
Sanskrit | समायोजनम् | ||
Tatar | көйләү | ||
Tigrinya | ምትዕርራይ ምግባር | ||
Tsonga | ku lulamisiwa ka swilo | ||