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B2 verb 11 min de lecture

adeguarsi

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces adeguarsi en 30 secondes

Explication adeguarsi in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'adeguarsi' might seem a bit complex because it is a reflexive verb and has many letters. However, you can think of it simply as 'to change to fit.' Imagine you are going to a party and everyone is wearing a costume. If you decide to wear a costume too, you are 'adeguandoti' to the party. At this level, don't worry about all the complicated grammar. Just remember that it usually needs a little word like 'mi', 'ti', or 'si' before it. For example, 'Mi adeguo' means 'I adapt.' You can use it when you talk about the weather. If it rains, you take an umbrella. You are adapting to the rain. It is a useful word to show that you are flexible. Even at a basic level, knowing this word helps you express that you are following the rules or the situation. It shows you are not just doing your own thing, but you are part of the group. Try to use it in short sentences like 'Mi adeguo al gruppo' (I go with the group). It is a good way to start learning how reflexive verbs work in Italian, which is a very important part of the language. You will see it often in signs or simple instructions where people are told to follow a certain behavior.

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At the A2 level, you are starting to build more complex sentences. 'Adeguarsi' is a great verb to practice because it requires the preposition 'a'. This is a common pattern in Italian. You don't just 'adeguarsi', you 'adeguarsi A' something. For example, 'Mi adeguo al nuovo orario' (I adapt to the new schedule). Notice how 'a' combines with 'il' to become 'al'. This is a key grammar point at A2. You can use this verb to talk about your daily life. Maybe you moved to a new house, or you have a new job. You have to 'adeguarti' to these changes. It's more specific than just saying 'cambiare' (to change). It shows that you are making an effort to match a new situation. You will also start to see the past tense. Remember, reflexive verbs like 'adeguarsi' always use 'essere' in the past. So, you would say 'Mi sono adeguato' if you are a man, or 'Mi sono adeguata' if you are a woman. This helps you practice gender agreement, which is essential at this level. Using 'adeguarsi' makes your Italian sound more natural and less like a direct translation from English. It shows you understand that Italian has specific verbs for social and situational adjustments.

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At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'adeguarsi' in various tenses, including the imperfect and the future. You will encounter this word more frequently in reading materials, such as newspaper articles or short stories. At this stage, you can start using it to discuss social issues or workplace environments. For instance, you might say, 'I lavoratori devono adeguarsi alle nuove tecnologie' (Workers must adapt to new technologies). This is a very B1-level sentence because it uses a modal verb (devono) and a plural noun with an articulated preposition (alle). You should also be aware of the noun form, 'l'adeguamento'. This is often used in news about the economy, like 'l'adeguamento dei prezzi' (the adjustment of prices). Understanding the connection between the verb and the noun will greatly expand your vocabulary. You can also use 'adeguarsi' in a more metaphorical sense, such as 'adeguarsi ai tempi' (keeping up with the times). This shows a deeper understanding of Italian idioms. At B1, you are expected to handle more nuanced communication, and 'adeguarsi' is perfect for describing the balance between staying true to yourself and fitting into a community or a system. It’s a key verb for discussing integration and professional development.

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At the B2 level, 'adeguarsi' becomes a tool for precise expression. You are expected to distinguish it from its synonyms like 'adattarsi', 'conformarsi', and 'uniformarsi'. While 'adattarsi' is more about flexibility, 'adeguarsi' implies meeting a specific standard or requirement. This distinction is crucial in professional and academic writing. For example, in a business report, you would use 'adeguarsi' to describe how a company meets legal regulations (adeguarsi alle normative). You should also be able to use the verb in more complex grammatical structures, such as the subjunctive mood or conditional sentences. For instance, 'Spero che tutti si adeguino alle nuove regole' (I hope everyone adapts to the new rules). The use of the subjunctive 'si adeguino' shows a high level of proficiency. You can also explore the reflexive vs. non-reflexive forms. While 'adeguarsi' is most common, 'adeguare' (to adjust something else) is also important. 'Dobbiamo adeguare il budget alle nostre necessità' (We must adjust the budget to our needs). At B2, you should also be sensitive to the register. 'Adeguarsi' is generally neutral to formal, but using it in casual conversation about lifestyle changes adds a touch of sophistication to your speech. It's a versatile verb that reflects a mature grasp of the Italian language and its social nuances.

At the C1 level, you should be able to use 'adeguarsi' with complete spontaneity and accuracy in all contexts, including highly formal and specialized ones. You should understand the philosophical and sociological implications of the word. For example, you might discuss the 'pressione ad adeguarsi' (pressure to conform) in modern society, analyzing how it affects individual identity. Your use of the verb should be nuanced, perhaps using it in the passive voice or with complex pronominal structures. You will also encounter 'adeguarsi' in legal texts and official documents, where it refers to the process of 'harmonization' or 'compliance' with international standards. At this level, you should also be familiar with academic derivatives and related concepts like 'inadeguatezza' (inadequacy), which is the state of not being able to 'adeguarsi'. Being able to weave these related terms into a sophisticated argument shows a C1-level mastery. You might also use the verb in literary analysis to describe a character's journey of assimilation or resistance. The subtle difference between 'adeguarsi' and 'allinearsi' (to align oneself politically) becomes important here. Your ability to choose the exact word based on the desired shade of meaning is what defines your proficiency at this level. 'Adeguarsi' is no longer just a verb; it's a concept that you can manipulate to express complex ideas about change, society, and the self.

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At the C2 level, 'adeguarsi' is a word you use with the precision of a native speaker who is well-versed in the intricacies of the language. You can use it to articulate the most subtle shifts in behavior or policy. You might employ it in a high-level debate about 'l'adeguamento dei sistemi legislativi' (the alignment of legislative systems) or in a deep psychological exploration of human resilience. You should be able to handle the verb in its most complex forms, such as the 'gerundio composto' (essendosi adeguato) or within intricate hypothetical clauses. Furthermore, your understanding of the word should extend to its historical and etymological roots, recognizing how the concept of 'equality' (from the Latin 'aequus') is embedded in the act of 'adeguamento'. You can use this knowledge to create powerful metaphors or to critique social structures that demand excessive conformity. At C2, you are also expected to recognize and use rare or archaic forms of the word family if they appear in classical literature. Your speech and writing should reflect a seamless integration of 'adeguarsi' into a rich, varied, and highly precise vocabulary. Whether you are writing a legal brief, a philosophical essay, or a piece of creative fiction, 'adeguarsi' serves as a precise instrument to describe the multifaceted process of adjustment, compliance, and evolution that characterizes both individuals and societies.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

adeguarsi en 30 secondes

Adeguarsi is a reflexive verb meaning to adapt or conform to rules, standards, or situations, often emphasizing compliance or alignment.
It is commonly followed by the preposition 'a' and requires the auxiliary 'essere' in compound tenses like the passato prossimo.
The verb is essential in professional, legal, and social contexts to describe modernization, regulatory compliance, or fitting into a group.
Distinguish it from 'adattarsi' (general flexibility) and 'conformarsi' (strict formal compliance) to use it with native-level precision.

The Italian verb adeguarsi is a sophisticated reflexive verb that primarily translates to "to conform," "to adapt," or "to adjust oneself." At its core, it describes the process of alignment—making one's behavior, thoughts, or standards consistent with an external requirement, a new situation, or a set of social norms. Unlike the simpler verb adattarsi, which often implies a physical or biological adjustment to an environment, adeguarsi frequently carries a connotation of compliance or meeting a specific standard or expectation. It is a word of transition and alignment, used when a person or an entity modifies their state to match a benchmark.

Social Conformity: In social contexts, it refers to following the crowd or adhering to group norms to fit in. It can sometimes have a slightly negative nuance if it implies losing one's individuality to please others.

Non voglio semplicemente adeguarsi alla massa; voglio mantenere la mia originalità.

Beyond social pressure, adeguarsi is the standard term for regulatory compliance. When a company updates its privacy policy to meet new laws, it must adeguarsi alle nuove normative. This usage is very common in professional, legal, and bureaucratic Italian. It suggests a mandatory or necessary adjustment rather than a voluntary one. If you move to a new country, you must adeguarsi to the local laws and customs, which is a broader social and legal integration.

Economic Adjustment: Often used in finance to describe prices or salaries being adjusted to match inflation or market rates.

Gli stipendi dovrebbero adeguarsi al costo della vita attuale.

The verb is also frequently used in the context of technology and progress. Phrases like adeguarsi ai tempi (keeping up with the times) are ubiquitous. It implies that the world is moving forward, and if you don't adjust your methods, tools, or mindset, you will be left behind. This makes it a very dynamic verb, essential for discussing change and modernization in any field, from education to industry.

Dobbiamo adeguarsi alle nuove tecnologie per restare competitivi.

Psychological Resilience: It can describe the mental effort of accepting a difficult reality and changing one's expectations accordingly.

Dopo la perdita del lavoro, ha dovuto adeguarsi a un nuovo stile di vita più modesto.

In summary, adeguarsi is about the bridge between 'what is' and 'what is required.' Whether it's a person changing their habits to fit a new culture, a business updating its software, or a government adjusting its budget, adeguarsi captures that essential human and systemic act of alignment. It is more formal than cambiare and more targeted than adattarsi, making it a powerful tool for intermediate and advanced Italian speakers.

Using adeguarsi correctly requires understanding its reflexive nature and its preferred preposition. Most commonly, you will see adeguarsi followed by the preposition a (or its articulated forms like al, alla, agli). This 'a' indicates the target or the standard to which one is adapting. For example, adeguarsi al clima means adapting to the climate. Without the preposition, the sentence often feels incomplete unless the context is already clearly established.

Grammar Structure: [Subject] + [Reflexive Pronoun] + [Conjugated Verb] + [Preposition 'a'] + [Noun]. Example: Io mi adeguo alla situazione.

È difficile adeguarsi a ritmi di lavoro così intensi dopo le vacanze.

In the past tense (passato prossimo), because it is a reflexive verb, it always takes the auxiliary verb essere. The past participle adeguato must agree in gender and number with the subject. For instance, Maria si è adeguata (Maria adapted herself) vs. I ragazzi si sono adeguati (The boys adapted themselves). This is a frequent point of error for English speakers who are used to the unchanging 'adapted' in English. Pay close attention to these endings to sound like a native speaker.

When using the imperative mood, the reflexive pronoun attaches to the end of the verb. In a command like "Adapt!" (singular informal), you would say Adeguati!. In the plural, Adeguatevi!. This is often heard in competitive environments or when someone is being told to stop complaining and get with the program. It can sound quite direct, so use it carefully depending on your relationship with the listener.

Se vuoi vivere qui, devi adeguarti alle nostre regole di casa.

Modal Verbs: When used with 'potere', 'volere', or 'dovere', the pronoun can go before the modal or attach to the infinitive. 'Mi devo adeguare' or 'Devo adeguarmi' are both correct.

Furthermore, adeguarsi can be used in the gerund form (adeguandosi) to describe how someone achieved a result. For example, "By adapting to the market, the company survived" translates to Adeguandosi al mercato, l'azienda è sopravvissuta. This structure is excellent for writing more complex, fluid sentences in essays or reports. It shows a high level of control over Italian syntax and the ability to link cause and effect through the concept of adaptation.

You will encounter adeguarsi in a wide variety of settings, ranging from the evening news to office meetings and casual conversations about lifestyle changes. In the Italian media, it is a staple during discussions about the economy. News anchors often talk about how Italy needs to adeguarsi agli standard europei (conform to European standards) regarding everything from fiscal policy to environmental regulations. If you listen to political debates, you'll hear it used when discussing the necessity of modernizing the country's infrastructure or legal system.

L'Italia deve adeguarsi rapidamente alle direttive dell'Unione Europea.

In a professional environment, your boss or HR department might use it when introducing new software or internal procedures. You might hear, "Dobbiamo adeguarsi al nuovo sistema gestionale entro la fine del mese." Here, it carries a sense of professional duty. It's not just a suggestion; it's a requirement of the job. It’s also used when talking about price adjustments in business-to-business transactions: "Dobbiamo adeguare i nostri listini all'aumento delle materie prime," or reflexively, "I prezzi si sono adeguati al mercato."

Everyday Conversations: Used when talking about changing habits, like eating earlier or sleeping more, to fit a new schedule.

In the realm of education, teachers often speak about students adeguandosi to the school's rhythm or rules. If a student is struggling to follow the pace of the class, the teacher might suggest they need to adeguarsi better to the study plan. Similarly, in social circles, friends might use it when discussing peer pressure or the feeling of having to change oneself to fit into a certain 'vibe' or social group. "Non sentirti obbligato ad adeguarti a loro se non ti senti a tuo agio," a friend might say, advising you not to lose yourself just to fit in.

È importante saper adeguarsi alle diverse situazioni sociali con eleganza.

Finally, you’ll find it in literature and cinema, often as a theme of conflict. A character might struggle between adeguarsi to a restrictive society or rebelling against it. This philosophical use of the word elevates it from a simple verb of change to a word that explores the tension between the individual and the collective. Whether it's a technical manual or a deep novel, adeguarsi is there to describe the friction and the eventual resolution of change.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make with adeguarsi is forgetting that it is a reflexive verb. In English, we simply say "to adapt," which is not reflexive. Therefore, a learner might say *Io adequo alla situazione instead of the correct Io mi adeguo alla situazione. Always remember that the action is being performed by the subject *upon* themselves to reach a state of alignment. Without the reflexive pronoun, the verb adeguare means to adjust something else (like adjusting a flame or a price).

The Preposition Error: Using 'con' (with) instead of 'a' (to). Learners often say *adeguarsi con le regole, but the correct form is adeguarsi alle regole.

Errore: Mi sono adeguato con il nuovo orario. Corretto: Mi sono adeguato al nuovo orario.

Another common pitfall is the confusion between adeguarsi and adattarsi. While they are often synonyms, adeguarsi is more about meeting a standard or a rule, whereas adattarsi is more about fitting into an environment or a physical space. If you say you are adeguandoti to a new city, it sounds like you are following its laws and social codes. If you say you are adattandoti, it sounds like you are getting used to the weather and the layout of the streets. Using the wrong one won't always make you misunderstood, but it might sound slightly 'off' to a native ear.

Spelling is also a minor hurdle. Some learners might try to spell it with a 'q' instead of a 'gu' in certain forms, or forget the 'u' altogether. Remember the root is equo (equal/fair), which in Italian becomes adeguare. The 'gu' sound is consistent throughout the conjugation (adeguo, adegui, adegua, etc.), unlike some other verbs that change their stem sounds. Keeping the 'g' hard is key to correct pronunciation and spelling.

Non adeguarti mai a ciò che non ritieni giusto solo per pigrizia.

Pronoun Placement: In negative commands, learners often struggle. 'Non adeguarti' is correct for 'don't adapt yourself' (informal), but 'Non si adegui' is the formal version.

Finally, avoid overusing adeguarsi when a simpler verb like cambiare or seguire would suffice. Adeguarsi is a 'heavy' verb; it implies a significant process of alignment. If you are just changing your shirt, you don't adeguarti to the fashion; you just ti cambi or segui the fashion. Reserve adeguarsi for when there is a clear standard, rule, or systemic change that requires a corresponding change in the subject.

To truly master adeguarsi, you must understand its position within a family of related verbs. The most direct synonym is adattarsi. While used interchangeably in many casual contexts, adattarsi focuses more on the flexibility and resilience of the subject in the face of change. Adeguarsi, conversely, focuses on the attainment of a specific level or standard. Think of adattarsi as survival and adeguarsi as compliance.

Conformarsi vs. Adeguarsi: Conformarsi is even more formal than adeguarsi and is almost exclusively used for laws, religious dogmas, or very strict social codes. Adeguarsi is more versatile and common in daily life.

Invece di adeguarsi, a volte è meglio cercare di cambiare le cose.

Another interesting alternative is uniformarsi. This verb implies making oneself 'uniform' with others. It is often used when talking about technical standards (like making all chargers the same) or when people start behaving exactly like those around them to avoid standing out. It carries a stronger sense of losing individual variation than adeguarsi does. If you uniformarti to a group, you become indistinguishable from them; if you adeguarti, you simply meet their requirements.

Rassegnarsi: This means 'to resign oneself.' It is the emotional cousin of adeguarsi. While adeguarsi is an action of adjustment, rassegnarsi is the internal acceptance that you cannot change a situation.

Non dovresti rassegnarti, ma solo adeguarti temporaneamente alla situazione.

For a more informal or metaphorical approach, you might hear stare al gioco (to go along with the game). This is used when someone si adegua to a specific social dynamic or a joke, even if they don't fully agree with it or find it serious. It’s a great idiomatic way to express the social side of adeguarsi. On the opposite end, ribellarsi (to rebel) is the perfect antonym, describing the refusal to adapt or conform to what is expected.

Allinearsi: Literally 'to align oneself.' Very common in business and politics (e.g., allinearsi alla linea del partito).

In summary, while adattarsi is your 'go-to' for general adaptation, use adeguarsi when there is a standard to meet, conformarsi for strict rules, uniformarsi for total similarity, and allinearsi for strategic or political agreement. Having this spectrum of verbs allows you to describe human behavior with much greater precision and nuance.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

The root 'equus' (equal) is the same one found in English words like 'equity', 'equality', and even 'equator' (the line that divides the earth equally).

Guide de prononciation

UK /a.deˈɡwar.si/

US /ɑ.deˈɡwɑr.si/

The primary stress is on the second-to-last syllable of the root verb: a-de-GUÀR-si.

Rime avec

abituarsi allontanarsi avvicinarsi fermarsi guardarsi parlarsi trovarsi usarsi

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing the 'u' as a separate vowel (a-de-gu-ar-si) instead of a glide (w).
Failing to pronounce the 'g' as a hard sound.
Missing the reflexive 'si' at the end.
Stressing the first syllable.
Pronouncing 's' as 'z' at the end (it should be voiceless).

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 3/5

Common in news and formal texts, but the root is recognizable.

Écriture 4/5

Requires mastery of reflexive pronouns and the preposition 'a'.

Expression orale 4/5

The 'guar' sound and reflexive agreement can be tricky in fast speech.

Écoute 3/5

Clear pronunciation, but can be confused with 'adattarsi' if not listening carefully.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

adattarsi cambiare uguale regola situazione

Apprends ensuite

conformarsi uniformarsi allinearsi ottemperare rispettare

Avancé

ossequio consonanza omologazione integrazione assimilazione

Grammaire à connaître

Reflexive Verb Conjugation

Io mi adeguo, Tu ti adegui, Lui/Lei si adegua...

Use of 'Essere' in Passato Prossimo

Mi sono adeguato / adeguata.

Preposition 'A' with Reflexive Verbs

Adeguarsi a qualcosa.

Agreement of Past Participle

Le ragazze si sono adeguate.

Pronoun placement with Modals

Mi devo adeguare / Devo adeguarmi.

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Exemples par niveau

Mi adeguo al tempo.

I adapt to the weather.

Uses 'mi' for 'io' (reflexive).

Ti adegui alla classe?

Do you adapt to the class?

Question form with 'ti' for 'tu'.

Lui si adegua al gruppo.

He adapts to the group.

Third person singular 'si'.

Dobbiamo adeguarci.

We must adapt.

Reflexive pronoun 'ci' attached to the infinitive.

Voi vi adeguate?

Do you (plural) adapt?

Second person plural 'vi'.

Loro si adeguano.

They adapt.

Third person plural 'si'.

Non mi adeguo.

I don't adapt.

Negative form with 'non' before the pronoun.

Adeguati!

Adapt! (singular informal)

Imperative form with pronoun attached.

Mi sono adeguato al nuovo orario di lavoro.

I adapted to the new work schedule.

Passato prossimo with 'essere' and masculine ending.

Ti sei adeguata alla nuova città?

Did you adapt to the new city? (feminine)

Passato prossimo with feminine agreement '-ata'.

Dobbiamo adeguarci alle regole della casa.

We must adapt to the house rules.

Preposition 'alle' (a + le).

Non è facile adeguarsi a questi cambiamenti.

It is not easy to adapt to these changes.

Infinitive used after 'è facile'.

Si adeguano sempre a quello che dico.

They always adapt to what I say.

Use of 'sempre' (always) to show habit.

Mi adeguo volentieri alla tua proposta.

I gladly adapt to your proposal.

Adverb 'volentieri' (gladly).

Perché non ti adegui un po'?

Why don't you adapt a little?

Interrogative with 'perché' and 'un po''.

Si sono adeguati subito al clima.

They adapted immediately to the climate.

Passato prossimo plural agreement '-ati'.

È necessario adeguarsi alle nuove normative sulla privacy.

It is necessary to comply with the new privacy regulations.

'Normative' is a common B1-level technical term.

Se vuoi il successo, devi adeguarti al mercato.

If you want success, you must adapt to the market.

Hypothetical 'se' clause with present indicative.

L'azienda si è adeguata agli standard internazionali.

The company has conformed to international standards.

Preposition 'agli' (a + gli).

Molti giovani faticano ad adeguarsi alla vita universitaria.

Many young people struggle to adapt to university life.

Verb 'faticare a' followed by infinitive.

Dovremmo adeguarci ai tempi e usare meno carta.

We should keep up with the times and use less paper.

Conditional mood 'dovremmo' for a suggestion.

Si è sempre adeguata ai desideri dei suoi genitori.

She has always conformed to her parents' wishes.

Reflexive verb in a social/family context.

Bisogna sapersi adeguare alle diverse situazioni.

One must know how to adapt to different situations.

Impersonal 'bisogna' with 'sapersi' (reflexive infinitive).

I prezzi si adeguano periodicamente all'inflazione.

Prices are periodically adjusted for inflation.

Reflexive used for an automatic/systemic process.

Nonostante le difficoltà, si è adeguato egregiamente al nuovo ruolo.

Despite the difficulties, he adapted excellently to the new role.

Use of 'nonostante' and the adverb 'egregiamente'.

Il software deve adeguarsi alle specifiche del sistema operativo.

The software must conform to the operating system specifications.

Technical context regarding compatibility.

Spero che il governo si adegui presto alle richieste dei cittadini.

I hope the government soon adapts to the citizens' requests.

Present subjunctive 'si adegui' after 'spero che'.

Adeguarsi alla massa non è sempre la scelta migliore.

Conforming to the crowd is not always the best choice.

Gerund-like use of the infinitive as a subject.

Si sono adeguati con riluttanza alle nuove restrizioni.

They reluctantly conformed to the new restrictions.

Adverbial phrase 'con riluttanza'.

L'edificio è stato ristrutturato per adeguarsi alle norme antisismiche.

The building was renovated to comply with anti-seismic regulations.

Passive voice 'è stato ristrutturato' followed by purpose clause.

Se non ti fossi adeguato, avresti avuto seri problemi.

If you hadn't adapted, you would have had serious problems.

Third-type conditional (past unreal) with 'fossi adeguato'.

Dobbiamo adeguare la nostra strategia a quella della concorrenza.

We must adjust our strategy to that of the competition.

Non-reflexive 'adeguare' meaning 'to adjust something'.

L'individuo tende spesso ad adeguarsi per timore dell'esclusione sociale.

The individual often tends to conform for fear of social exclusion.

Sociological context with 'tende a'.

È imperativo che l'azienda si adegui ai nuovi paradigmi tecnologici.

It is imperative that the company adapts to new technological paradigms.

Formal structure 'È imperativo che' + subjunctive.

Adeguandosi costantemente, ha perso la sua identità originale.

By constantly adapting, he lost his original identity.

Gerund 'adeguandosi' expressing means/manner.

Il sistema scolastico fatica ad adeguarsi alle esigenze del mondo moderno.

The school system struggles to adapt to the needs of the modern world.

Institutional context with 'esigenze'.

Si è adeguato senza batter ciglio alle condizioni più dure.

He conformed without batting an eye to the harshest conditions.

Idiomatic expression 'senza batter ciglio'.

La lingua italiana continua ad adeguarsi ai mutamenti della società.

The Italian language continues to adapt to the changes in society.

Linguistic context regarding evolution.

Non possiamo esimerci dall'adeguarsi alle direttive comunitarie.

We cannot exempt ourselves from complying with EU directives.

Formal verb 'esimersi da' followed by the gerund/infinitive.

L'adeguarsi passivo può portare alla stagnazione creativa.

Passive conformity can lead to creative stagnation.

Noun-like use of the infinitive with an adjective.

L'ontologia del soggetto si ridefinisce nell'atto stesso di adeguarsi all'altro.

The ontology of the subject redefines itself in the very act of adapting to the other.

Philosophical register with 'ontologia' and 'soggetto'.

Qualora non ci si adeguasse, le sanzioni sarebbero inevitabili.

Should one not comply, sanctions would be inevitable.

Formal hypothetical with 'qualora' and imperfect subjunctive.

Il testo riflette l'incapacità dell'eroe di adeguarsi a un mondo in declino.

The text reflects the hero's inability to adapt to a declining world.

Literary analysis regarding 'incapacità'.

Si ravvisa la necessità di adeguare i parametri strutturali alle nuove scoperte.

There is a recognized need to adjust structural parameters to new discoveries.

Highly formal 'si ravvisa' (it is recognized).

Essendosi adeguato tardi, ha mancato l'opportunità di crescita.

Having adapted late, he missed the opportunity for growth.

Compound gerund 'essendosi adeguato'.

L'adeguamento coatto non produce mai una vera integrazione.

Forced compliance never produces true integration.

Use of the noun 'adeguamento' with the adjective 'coatto' (forced).

È un errore di prospettiva credere che la natura debba adeguarsi all'uomo.

It is an error of perspective to believe that nature must adapt to man.

Philosophical/Ecological context.

La flessibilità non deve essere confusa con un becero adeguarsi alla moda.

Flexibility must not be confused with a vulgar conforming to fashion.

Strong adjective 'becero' used in a critique.

Collocations courantes

adeguarsi ai tempi

adeguarsi alla legge

adeguarsi al mercato

adeguarsi allo standard

adeguarsi alla massa

adeguarsi al ritmo

adeguarsi alle esigenze

adeguarsi alle circostanze

adeguarsi alle direttive

adeguarsi al contesto

Phrases Courantes

Bisogna adeguarsi.

— One must adapt. Used when a situation is inevitable.

Il mondo cambia, bisogna adeguarsi.

Chi non si adegua è perduto.

— Those who don't adapt are lost. A common saying about progress.

Nel business, chi non si adegua è perduto.

Adeguarsi per sopravvivere.

— Adapting in order to survive. Often used in biology or business.

Le specie devono adeguarsi per sopravvivere ai cambiamenti climatici.

Saper adeguarsi.

— Knowing how to adapt. Considered a positive character trait.

Il suo punto di forza è saper adeguarsi a ogni situazione.

Adeguarsi alla realtà.

— To face reality and adjust expectations.

Dopo il fallimento, ha dovuto adeguarsi alla realtà dei fatti.

Adeguarsi al ribasso.

— To adjust downwards (usually standards or prices).

Non dobbiamo mai adeguarsi al ribasso della qualità.

Adeguarsi al rialzo.

— To adjust upwards (usually prices or salaries).

Le tariffe si sono adeguate al rialzo dei costi energetici.

Adeguarsi forzatamente.

— To adapt by force or necessity.

Si è adeguato forzatamente alle nuove politiche aziendali.

Adeguarsi gradualmente.

— To adapt slowly over time.

Il corpo si adegua gradualmente all'altitudine.

Adeguarsi passivamente.

— To adapt without thinking or questioning.

Non dovresti mai adeguarti passivamente a ciò che dicono gli altri.

Souvent confondu avec

adeguarsi vs adattarsi

Adattarsi is more about physical or general survival; adeguarsi is about meeting a standard or rule.

adeguarsi vs adeguare

Adeguare is transitive (adjusting something else); adeguarsi is reflexive (adjusting yourself).

adeguarsi vs conformarsi

Conformarsi is more formal and implies stricter adherence to a mold or law.

Expressions idiomatiques

"Adeguarsi ai tempi che corrono"

— To adjust to current trends or social changes, often implying they are fast-paced.

Anche i nonni devono adeguarsi ai tempi che corrono e usare WhatsApp.

common

"Fare di necessità virtù"

— Not using the word 'adeguarsi' but meaning the same: to make the best of a forced adaptation.

Ho perso il treno, quindi ho visitato la città; ho fatto di necessità virtù.

idiomatic

"Nuotare con la corrente"

— To go with the flow, a metaphor for 'adeguarsi' without resistance.

A volte è più facile nuotare con la corrente che lottare sempre.

metaphorical

"Essere un camaleonte"

— To be someone who can 'adeguarsi' to any environment perfectly.

Lui è un camaleonte: si adegua a ogni compagnia.

informal

"Stare al gioco"

— To play along or conform to a specific social situation or joke.

Sapevo che era uno scherzo, ma ho deciso di stare al gioco.

informal

"Piegarsi come un giunco"

— To bend like a reed (to adapt to the wind/situation without breaking).

Bisogna sapersi piegare come un giunco durante le crisi.

literary

"Andare dove tira il vento"

— To go where the wind blows (to adapt opportunistically).

Non ha principi, va solo dove tira il vento.

derogatory

"Mettersi in riga"

— To get in line (to conform to rules or authority).

Dopo il richiamo del capo, si è subito messo in riga.

informal

"Ballare secondo la musica"

— To dance according to the music (to adapt to the current situation).

In politica, bisogna saper ballare secondo la musica.

metaphorical

"Calarsi nella parte"

— To immerse oneself in a role or situation (to adapt deeply).

Si è calato perfettamente nella parte del nuovo manager.

neutral

Facile à confondre

adeguarsi vs Adattarsi

Both mean 'to adapt' in English.

Adattarsi is used for environments (weather, city), while adeguarsi is used for standards and laws.

Mi adatto al caldo, ma mi adeguo alle leggi.

adeguarsi vs Conformarsi

Both imply following a rule.

Conformarsi is very formal and often religious or legal; adeguarsi is more common and versatile.

Si conforma ai dogmi della chiesa. Si adegua alle regole dell'ufficio.

adeguarsi vs Uniformarsi

Both involve change to match others.

Uniformarsi implies becoming exactly like others; adeguarsi implies just meeting the requirement.

Tutti si uniformano nella moda. Lui si adegua solo quando serve.

adeguarsi vs Abituarsi

Both involve getting used to something.

Abituarsi is an internal psychological process of habit; adeguarsi is an active change of behavior.

Mi sono abituato al rumore. Mi sono adeguato al silenzio richiesto.

adeguarsi vs Rassegnarsi

Both involve accepting a situation.

Rassegnarsi is passive and often sad; adeguarsi is active and functional.

Si è rassegnato alla sconfitta. Si è adeguato alla nuova posizione.

Structures de phrases

Io mi adeguo a [Noun]

Io mi adeguo al gruppo.

Mi sono adeguato/a a [Noun]

Mi sono adeguato al nuovo lavoro.

È difficile adeguarsi a [Noun]

È difficile adeguarsi a queste regole.

Bisogna sapersi adeguare a [Noun]

Bisogna sapersi adeguare alle circostanze.

Adeguandosi a [Noun], si ottiene [Result]

Adeguandosi al mercato, l'azienda è cresciuta.

Nonostante [Noun], si è adeguato/a a [Noun]

Nonostante lo stress, si è adeguata al ritmo.

L'atto di adeguarsi a [Noun] comporta [Consequence]

L'atto di adeguarsi alla società comporta dei sacrifici.

Qualora [Subject] si adeguasse a [Noun], [Conditional]

Qualora l'ente si adeguasse alle norme, riceverebbe i fondi.

Famille de mots

Noms

adeguamento (adjustment/compliance)

adeguatezza (adequacy)

inadeguatezza (inadequacy)

Verbes

adeguare (to adjust/adapt something else)

disadeguarsi (rare: to stop conforming)

Adjectifs

adeguato (adequate/appropriate)

inadeguato (inadequate/inappropriate)

Apparenté

equo (fair/equal)

uguaglianza (equality)

uguale (equal)

equiparare (to equate)

equidistante (equidistant)

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

High, especially in professional and news contexts.

Erreurs courantes

Io adeguo alla situazione. → Io mi adeguo alla situazione.
Missing the reflexive pronoun. Adeguarsi must be reflexive when adapting oneself.
Si è adeguato con le regole. → Si è adeguato alle regole.
Wrong preposition. Use 'a' (to) not 'con' (with).
Maria si è adeguato. → Maria si è adeguata.
Failure to agree the past participle with the feminine subject.
Dobbiamo adequarsi. → Dobbiamo adeguarci.
Spelling error (q instead of gu) and wrong pronoun for 'noi'.
Mi ho adeguato. → Mi sono adeguato.
Using 'avere' instead of 'essere' as the auxiliary for a reflexive verb.

Astuces

Remember the Pronoun

Never forget the 'mi, ti, si' etc. 'Io adeguo' means you are adjusting something else. 'Io mi adeguo' means you are adjusting yourself.

Use with 'A'

Always link 'adeguarsi' with 'a'. Think of it like 'adjusting TO'. Adeguarsi AL (a+il), ALLA (a+la), etc.

Professional Power

Use this verb in job interviews or at work to show you are a team player who can follow procedures.

Modernize Your Speech

Use 'adeguarsi ai tempi' to talk about technology or social changes. It makes you sound very natural.

Learn the Opposite

Learn 'ribellarsi' (to rebel) alongside 'adeguarsi' to have a complete set of tools for discussing social behavior.

The Hard G

Make sure the 'g' is hard like in 'goat'. Don't let it become soft like in 'giant'.

Subjunctive Alert

After verbs of hope or necessity, use the subjunctive: 'È necessario che tu ti adegui'.

News Keyword

In Italy, 'adeguamento' is a keyword for tax or price increases. Listen for it in economic news.

Be Careful with Commands

Telling someone 'Adeguati!' can be rude. Use 'Dovresti adeguarti' (You should adapt) to be more polite.

The Equal Sign

Associate the word with the Latin root 'equus' (equal). You are making yourself equal to the situation.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of 'Adequate'. When you 'adeguarsi', you make yourself 'adequate' for a new situation or rule.

Association visuelle

Imagine a person standing next to a doorway that is too low. They have to bend down to 'adeguarsi' (adjust) to the height of the door to get through.

Word Web

Adeguarsi Regole Cambiamento Flessibilità Società Standard Conformità Evoluzione

Défi

Try to use 'adeguarsi' in three different contexts today: once for the weather, once for a rule at work, and once for a social situation.

Origine du mot

Derived from the Latin verb 'adaequare', which is composed of the prefix 'ad-' (to/towards) and 'aequare' (to make equal).

Sens originel : The original meaning in Latin was 'to make equal' or 'to level.'

Indo-European > Italic > Latin > Romance > Italian.

Contexte culturel

Be careful when telling someone 'Devi adeguarti' (You must adapt). It can sound bossy or dismissive of their individual feelings if used without empathy.

In English, we often use 'adapt' or 'comply', but 'adeguarsi' sits right in the middle, covering both the voluntary and mandatory aspects of change.

The Leopard (Il Gattopardo) by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa: 'Everything must change so that everything can stay the same' is a classic example of political 'adeguamento'. Italian Constitutional Court rulings often use 'adeguamento' when aligning national laws with the Constitution. The phrase 'Adeguarsi ai tempi' is a common trope in Italian cinema depicting the transition from rural to urban life.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Workplace

Adeguarsi alle procedure
Adeguarsi ai nuovi orari
Adeguarsi alla cultura aziendale
Adeguarsi al software

Law & Bureaucracy

Adeguarsi alle normative
Adeguarsi alla sentenza
Adeguarsi ai requisiti
Adeguarsi alle direttive

Social Life

Adeguarsi al gruppo
Adeguarsi alle usanze locali
Adeguarsi al tono della conversazione
Adeguarsi alle aspettative

Economy

Adeguarsi all'inflazione
Adeguarsi ai prezzi di mercato
Adeguarsi alla domanda
Adeguarsi ai costi

Personal Growth

Adeguarsi ai cambiamenti
Adeguarsi a una nuova realtà
Adeguarsi all'età
Adeguarsi a un nuovo stile di vita

Amorces de conversation

"Ti è mai capitato di dover adeguarti a una cultura molto diversa dalla tua?"

"Pensi che sia giusto adeguarsi sempre alla massa per non avere problemi?"

"Come si sta adeguando la tua azienda alle nuove sfide dell'intelligenza artificiale?"

"È stato difficile per te adeguarti ai ritmi di vita italiani?"

"Qual è la cosa più strana a cui hai dovuto adeguarti viaggiando all'estero?"

Sujets d'écriture

Descrivi una situazione in cui hai scelto di non adeguarti alle aspettative degli altri. Quali sono state le conseguenze?

Rifletti su come il tuo modo di vivere si è adeguato ai cambiamenti tecnologici degli ultimi dieci anni.

Cosa significa per te 'adeguarsi' senza perdere la propria identità? Scrivi i tuoi pensieri.

Analizza l'importanza per un immigrato di adeguarsi alle leggi e alle tradizioni di un nuovo paese.

Pensi che il sistema scolastico debba adeguarsi agli studenti o viceversa? Argomenta la tua risposta.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

Yes, when you mean 'to adapt oneself'. The non-reflexive 'adeguare' means to adjust something else, like 'adeguare i prezzi' (to adjust prices). Most of the time, in a social context, you will use the reflexive form.

The preposition 'a' (to) is almost always used. For example: 'adeguarsi al clima', 'adeguarsi alle regole'. Using 'con' is a common mistake for English speakers.

'Adattarsi' is more about flexibility and getting used to an environment. 'Adeguarsi' is more about compliance with a standard, rule, or expectation. 'Adattarsi' is 'fitting in', while 'adeguarsi' is 'meeting the mark'.

Usually, we use 'adeguare' for objects (e.g., 'adeguare l'impianto elettrico'). 'Adeguarsi' is for people or organizations that change their behavior or status.

Since it's reflexive, use 'essere'. If you are male: 'Mi sono adeguato'. If you are female: 'Mi sono adeguata'.

It is neutral to formal. It is very common in news and business, but perfectly fine in everyday conversation when talking about rules or changes.

It means 'to keep up with the times' or 'to modernize'. It's a very common idiomatic expression in Italy.

Yes, it can sometimes imply 'selling out' or losing one's identity to fit in with a crowd (adeguarsi alla massa), but this depends on the context.

The primary noun is 'adeguamento' (adjustment/compliance). Another related noun is 'adeguatezza' (adequacy).

It is always spelled with 'gu' (adeguarsi). Spelling it with a 'q' is incorrect in Italian.

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