Spanish has no single word for “adjust” — the right verb depends on whether you’re tweaking a machine, editing a document, or setting the thermostat. Ajustar covers physical fitting, but modificar handles changes to plans, and regular controls temperature or volume.
You’ve probably seen “ajustar” in a dictionary and assumed it works everywhere. That assumption trips up a lot of learners. If you tell someone you need to “ajustar” your schedule, they might picture you tightening a belt, not moving a meeting. The real skill is matching the verb to the context.
This article breaks down the five most common Spanish translations for “adjust” — when each works, when it doesn’t, and how to conjugate the two verbs you’ll use most often. By the end, you’ll pick the right one without hesitation.
Ajustar: The Go-To Verb for Physical Adjustments
Ajustar (to adjust, to tighten, to make fit) is the default verb for hands-on tweaking. You use it when adjusting a seatbelt, tightening a screw, or making a piece of clothing fit better. SpanishDict lists it as the primary translation for adjust because it covers the mechanical and literal sense of the word.
The verb is perfectly regular — it follows the standard -AR conjugation pattern. Present tense: yo ajusto, tú ajustas, él ajusta, nosotros ajustamos, vosotros ajustáis, ellos ajustan. No spelling changes, no irregular stems.
Common contexts for ajustar
You’ll hear ajustar most often with machines, instruments, and physical objects. “Ajusta el freno” (adjust the brake), “ajusté la correa” (I adjusted the strap), or “hay que ajustar la fecha” — wait, that last one is borderline. While ajustar can mean “to adjust” a date in the sense of making it fit, many native speakers prefer modificar for schedule changes to avoid ambiguity.
Modificar, Regular, and Other Options
Why do learners stick with ajustar even when it sounds unnatural? Because it’s the first translation they memorized. But Spanish separates abstract changes from physical ones more clearly than English does. Here are the alternatives you need.
- Modificar (to modify, to change): Use for plans, documents, rules, or anything abstract. “Vamos a modificar el contrato” (We’ll adjust the contract). It’s a spelling-change verb: the c becomes qu before e (yo modifiqué).
- Regular (to set, to regulate): Reserved for controls and settings. “Regula la temperatura” (Adjust the temperature), “regula el volumen” (adjust the volume). Never use ajustar for thermostat settings — it sounds like you’re physically tightening the device.
- Acomodar (to accommodate, to make fit): Used when adjusting something to make it comfortable or suitable. “Acomoda las almohadas” (Adjust the pillows), or figuratively, “me acomodo al horario” (I adjust to the schedule).
- Configurar (to configure, to set up): The verb for adjusting settings on a device, especially computers. “Voy a configurar la impresora” (I’m going to adjust the printer settings).
- Adaptar (to adapt): When adjusting to a new situation or environment. “Me adapté al clima” (I adjusted to the climate). Not interchangeable with ajustar.
These verbs aren’t random synonyms — each occupies a distinct slice of meaning. Mixing them up marks you as a learner, but using them correctly makes your Spanish feel natural.
When to Use Ajustar vs. Modificar
The most common confusion is between ajustar and modificar. The rule of thumb: if you can touch it, use ajustar. If it’s an idea, a plan, or a written document, use modificar. But some situations are genuinely ambiguous.
| Context | Best Verb | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Tightening a screw | Ajustar | Physical, mechanical |
| Changing a flight reservation | Modificar | Abstract schedule change |
| Setting the thermostat | Regular | Control setting, not physical |
| Editing a paragraph | Modificar / Corregir | Abstract change to content |
| Making a shirt fit better at the tailor | Ajustar / Acomodar | Physical fitting; acomodar if comfort-focused |
| Adjusting the volume | Regular | Control setting |
| Adapting a recipe for dietary needs | Adaptar | Adjusting to new conditions |
| Configuring a new phone | Configurar | Device settings |
Notice that “adjusting a date” can go either way. If you’re moving a meeting to fit everyone’s schedule, modificar is safer. If you’re tightening the timeline itself, ajustar could work, but context matters.
Conjugating Ajustar and Modificar: Quick Reference
Both verbs are workhorses, so knowing their key tenses pays off. Ajustar is regular across the board. Modificar has a spelling change in the preterite (c → qu before e). Here are the tenses you’ll reach for most often.
- Present tense: Ajusto / modifico. Use for current actions: “Ajusto el espejo” (I adjust the mirror), “Modifico el plan” (I adjust the plan).
- Preterite (past completed): Ajusté (regular) / modifiqué (spelling change). “Ajusté la correa” (I adjusted the strap), “Modifiqué la fecha” (I adjusted the date).
- Imperfect (past ongoing/habitual): Ajustaba / modificaba. Both regular. “Antes ajustaba el asiento cada mañana.”
- Future: Ajustaré / modificaré. Both regular. “Mañana ajustaré el horario.”
- Conditional: Ajustaría / modificaría. Both regular. “Te ajustaría la ropa si pudiera.”
Memorize the preterite of modificar because it’s the only tense that catches learners off guard. The rest follow standard patterns.
Choosing the Right Verb for Your Sentence
When you’re speaking or writing, the decision often comes down to one question: is this a physical adjustment or an abstract one? If it’s physical, ajustar or regular (for settings) are your best bets. If it’s abstract, modificar, adaptar, or adecuar may fit better.
Collins Dictionaries notes that ajustar can also mean “to tighten” — a clue that it leans toward the tangible. Their entry for ajustar meaning tighten reinforces the physical slant. Meanwhile, modificar appears in contexts like law, business, and computing, where changes are conceptual.
| English Phrase | Spanish Translation |
|---|---|
| Adjust the seat | Ajusta el asiento |
| Adjust the schedule | Modifica el horario |
| Adjust the thermostat | Regula el termostato |
| Adjust the document | Modifica el documento |
| Adjust to the culture | Adáptate a la cultura |
Notice the pattern: physical objects get ajustar or regular, while abstract concepts get modificar or adaptar. Train yourself to pause and categorize before you speak.
The Bottom Line
English speakers reach for “adjust” for everything from a watch strap to a financial plan. Spanish demands more precision. The five verbs — ajustar, modificar, regular, acomodar, adaptar — each cover a specific slice. Start by mastering ajustar for physical tweaks and modificar for abstract changes, then layer in the others as you hear them used.
A DELE-certified tutor can help you practice these verbs in real conversations, especially if you’re struggling with when to use ajustar versus modificar in daily situations like talking to a mechanic or rescheduling a meeting.