Aðlaganleg

Aðlaganleg is an Icelandic adjective meaning capable of being adapted or adjusted; in English, roughly “adaptable” or “adaptable for different conditions.” It describes objects, systems, processes, or organisms that can be tailored to changing requirements, contexts, or environments without losing their core function.

In use, aðlaganleg is common in technical, scientific, and design contexts. It is often applied to software, hardware, engineering designs, or organizational processes that can be modified to fit new tasks, users, or constraints. Common collocations include aðlaganleg lausn (adaptable solution), aðlaganleg tækni (adaptive technology), and aðlaganlegt kerfi (adaptable system).

Etymology and related forms: the word derives from the verb aðlaga, meaning to adapt, with the suffix -anleg that marks the capability or potential for a given quality. Related terms include aðlögun (adaptation) and aðlöganlegur (adaptable). The concept is closely linked to flexibility, configurability, and resilience in design and planning.

Usage notes: while the term is well established in formal and technical Icelandic, speakers may also use synonyms such as aðlögunarhæfur or viðráðanlegur in specific contexts. The choice of term can reflect nuance—aðlaganleg emphasizes the potential to be adapted, whereas other words may stress the result or ease of adaptation.

See also: adaptation (aðlögun), adaptability (aðlögunargeta), flexible design.