anzupassen

Anpassen is a German verb meaning to adjust, tailor, or fit something to a condition, need, or requirement. The form anzupassen is the infinitive with the prefix an- in constructions where the infinitive is used after another verb or in subordinate clauses. It is common to encounter both non-reflexive and reflexive uses: etwas anpassen (to adjust something) and sich anpassen (to adapt oneself).

Etymology and meaning are straightforward: the prefix an- conveys direction toward fitting or aligning, combined with passen (to fit). The resulting meaning encompasses making changes to achieve fit, conformity, or suitability across contexts such as technology, work processes, fashion, or behavior.

Usage and grammar: anzupassen appears in verb phrases that require an infinitive without or with zu in dependent clauses, depending on the governing verb. In everyday German, the separable-prefix verb anpassen is often used in finite forms: Wir passen die Software an. In reflexive form: Wir passen uns den Gegebenheiten an. In subordinate clauses with another verb: Er versucht, sich der Situation anzupassen. The noun form Anpassung means the act or process of adapting.

Contexts and examples: in technology, companies customize products by adjusting features to user needs (die Software an die Bedürfnisse der Nutzer anpassen). In personal or social contexts, people adapt to new environments (sich neuen Anforderungen anpassen). In organizational settings, processes are tuned to changing conditions (Prozesse an neue Gegebenheiten anpassen).

See also: Anpassung, angepasst, Anpassungsfähigkeit.