Translation guide
The English word 'adjustment' covers a range of actions: making small changes to improve something, adapting to new conditions, or settling accounts. In Japanese, different words are used depending on what is being adjusted and the nature of the change.
Making a minor modification to a setting, position, or condition to achieve a desired result.
General term for adjustment of machines, schedules, volume, etc. Implies fine-tuning to reach an optimal state.
テレビの音量を調整してください。
Please adjust the TV volume.
会議の日程を調整しましょう。
Let's adjust the meeting schedule.
Similar to 調整 but often used for physical controls like temperature, brightness, or flow. Emphasizes regulation.
エアコンの温度を調節する。
Adjust the air conditioner temperature.
Changing one's behavior, attitude, or approach to fit a new environment or situation.
Adaptation to a new environment or conditions. Often used for living things or systems.
新しい職場に適応するのに時間がかかった。
It took time to adjust to the new workplace.
To get used to something. A common, natural way to express adjustment through familiarity.
Making a financial adjustment, such as correcting an error or balancing figures.
A very small, precise adjustment, often to a mechanism or plan.
Fine adjustment, delicate tuning. Used for precise settings.
ピントを微調整する。
Fine-tune the focus.
Both mean adjustment, but 調整 is broader (schedules, systems, relationships) while 調節 is more about regulating physical quantities (temperature, volume, flow). 調整 can often replace 調節, but not always the reverse.
音量を調整する / 調節する
Both are fine for volume adjustment.
日程を調整する (○) / 日程を調節する (△)
調整 is natural for schedule adjustment; 調節 sounds odd.
English often uses the noun 'adjustment', but Japanese often prefers verb phrases. Instead of 'make an adjustment', use 調整する or 直す directly.
It was tough until I adjusted to the new life.
請求書の金額を修正してください。
Please adjust the amount on the invoice.