适应 (shìyìng) — to adapt; to adjust to
HSK 5 | verb | to adapt oneself or something to new conditions or requirements
适应 (shìyìng)
适应 means to adapt or adjust to new circumstances, environments, or demands, and is used across biological, psychological, social, and professional contexts at B2 level.
Meanings
- [verb] to adapt to; to adjust to; to become accustomed to
- [verb] to suit; to be adapted for (of a thing fitting a condition)
Example Sentences
刚来到新城市时，他花了几个月才适应当地的生活方式。 Gāng láidào xīn chéngshì shí, tā huāle jǐ gè yuè cái shìyìng dāngdì de shēnghuó fāngshì. When he first arrived in the new city, it took him several months to adapt to the local lifestyle.
企业必须不断适应市场变化，才能在竞争中生存。 Qǐyè bìxū bùduàn shìyìng shìchǎng biànhuà, cái néng zài jìngzhēng zhōng shēngcún. Enterprises must continuously adapt to market changes to survive in competition.
生物进化的核心就是个体对环境的适应。 Shēngwù jìnhuà de héxīn jiùshì gètǐ duì huánjìng de shìyìng. The core of biological evolution is the adaptation of individuals to their environment.
新员工往往需要一段时间来适应公司的文化和工作节奏。 Xīn yuángōng wǎngwǎng xūyào yī duàn shíjiān lái shìyìng gōngsī de wénhuà hé gōngzuò jiézòu. New employees often need some time to adapt to the company's culture and work pace.
这款产品的设计充分考虑了用户的使用习惯，非常容易适应。 Zhè kuǎn chǎnpǐn de shèjì chōngfèn kǎolǜle yònghù de shǐyòng xíguàn, fēicháng róngyì shìyìng. The design of this product fully considers user habits and is very easy to adapt to.
她凭借出色的适应能力，在短时间内融入了新的团队。 Tā píngjiè chūsè de shìyìng nénglì, zài duǎn shíjiān nèi róngrùle xīn de tuánduì. With her outstanding adaptability, she quickly integrated into the new team.
Collocations
| Collocation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 适应环境 (shìyìng huánjìng) | adapt to the environment |
| 适应变化 (shìyìng biànhuà) | adapt to changes |
| 适应能力 (shìyìng nénglì) | adaptability |
| 逐渐适应 (zhújiàn shìyìng) | gradually adapt |
| 无法适应 (wúfǎ shìyìng) | unable to adapt |
| 适应社会 (shìyìng shèhuì) | adapt to society |
Usage Notes
适应 is used as a verb taking a noun object: 适应环境, 适应变化. The derived noun 适应性 (shìyìngxìng, adaptability) and 适应能力 (adaptability/capacity to adapt) are common in formal texts. Note that 适应 implies a successful or ongoing process of adjustment, whereas 不适应 (unable to adapt) suggests a mismatch.
Compare with 习惯 (xíguàn, to be accustomed to), which is more informal and implies that something has become natural through repeated exposure, while 适应 implies active effort to fit into new conditions.
Memory Hook
适 (suitable/fitting) + 应 (to respond/correspond) = responding so that you become fitting.