anpassen

Anpassen is a German verb meaning to adjust, adapt, or tailor something to fit a given context, requirement, or circumstance. The prefix an- adds a sense of direction toward suitability. The verb can be used transitively as well as reflexively.

In transitively used sentences, something is adjusted to a target condition. For example: "Wir passen die Software an die Bedürfnisse des Benutzers an." The past participle is angepasst, as in "Die Software wurde an die Bedürfnisse angepasst." The construction often takes zwei objects: das Objekt, das verändert wird, and das Ziel, an das angepasst wird (often introduced by an).

In reflexive use, sich anpassen means to adapt oneself to conditions. Examples: "Man muss sich an neue Arbeitszeiten anpassen," or "Sie passt sich an die neue Umgebung an." Here the preposition an governs the accusative complement (an die neue Situation).

The noun form is Anpassung, meaning adjustment or adaptation. Related terms include Anpassungsfähigkeit (adaptability) and die Anpassung an spezifische Anforderungen (the adaptation to specific requirements).

Domains and senses: In technology and everyday life, angepasstes Verhalten or angepasstes Design refers to tailoring products or processes to users or contexts. In biology and psychology, Anpassung describes evolutionary or individual changes that improve fit to an environment. In fashion or engineering, es spricht von der Anpassung von Kleidung, Geräten oder Systemen an individuelle Maße oder Gegebenheiten.