Kohanduma

Kohanduma is an Estonian verb meaning to adapt, adjust to changing circumstances, or conform to a standard. It can refer to people adjusting to new conditions, organizations aligning processes with new requirements, or devices and systems being made suitable for a particular purpose. The verb is typically used intransitively to describe the subject’s adjustment, for example: “Ta kohandub uute tingimustega.” The related transitive verb kohandada means to tailor or customize something to fit specific needs; for instance, “Ettevõte kohandas oma tootevalikut vastavalt klientide soovidele.” The noun form kohandamine denotes the act or process of adapting, and kohanduv describes something adaptable or flexible.

In everyday Estonian, kohanduma appears in discussions about work, technology, education, climate adaptation, and social integration, where emphasis is on fit and suitability rather than mere change. The term is commonly used with prepositional phrases such as tingimustega (to the conditions) or olukorraga (to the situation). It is part of a broader set of expressions that describe making systems, plans, or behaviors more compatible with new requirements or environments.