Adapting and adjusting are two words often confused by English learners. While they are related, there's a subtle but important difference. Adapting usually involves a more significant, long-term change or a change in attitude or behavior. Adjusting, on the other hand, usually involves a more minor, short-term change or modification. Think of adapting as making a fundamental shift, and adjusting as making a small fix. The following examples will make the difference clear.

Example 1:

English Sentence: I had to adapt to the new school rules.
English Translation: Benim yeni okul kurallarına uyum sağlamam gerekiyordu.

English Sentence: I adjusted my schedule to fit the new meeting. English Translation: Yeni toplantıya uyacak şekilde programımı ayarladım.

In this example, adapting involves changing your entire approach to the school rules, whereas adjusting involves making a minor change to your schedule.

Example 2:

English Sentence: The company had to adapt its business model to compete in the new market. English Translation: Şirket yeni pazarda rekabet edebilmek için iş modelini uyarlamaktı.

English Sentence: He adjusted his driving speed to avoid an accident. English Translation: Kazayı önlemek için hızını ayarladı.

Adapting, here, is about a fundamental change in the company's strategy to succeed in the market, and adjusting is about a minor change to a driver's speed for safety.

Example 3:

English Sentence: Students adapt to different learning styles. English Translation: Öğrenciler farklı öğrenme stillerine uyum sağlarlar.

English Sentence: You can adjust the volume of your headphones. English Translation: Kulaklıklarınızın ses seviyesini ayarlayabilirsiniz.

Adapting highlights the general process of fitting into new situations, while adjusting focuses on making small changes to something to be more comfortable or appropriate.

Happy learning!