Introduction

Many learners mix up be used to (gerund / noun), get used to (gerund / noun), adjust to (gerund / noun), and adapt to (gerund / noun).
They look similar, but the feeling is different.
In this post I break them down in very simple English and Japanese.
You will also see short stories you can memorize for speaking practice.

Learning

be used to + gerund / noun

Meaning: Something is already normal or comfortable for you.
日本語：〜に慣れている（すでに慣れた状態）。

More Examples

1. I am used to waking up at 5 a.m.
2. She is used to spicy food.
3. They were used to long meetings in the old company.
4. My dog is used to the new apartment.
5. I’m used to cooking dinner every day.
6. Are you used to big city life?
7. I'm too used to the Japanese toilet style.

Tip: Here used to is an adjective. After it, use a noun or ‑ing, not a verb base form.

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get used to + gerund / noun

Meaning: The process of becoming comfortable.
日本語：〜に慣れていく（まだ途中）。

More Examples

1. I am getting used to driving on the left.**
2. You will get used to the new software soon.
3. He got used to speaking English every day.
4. We are gradually getting used to remote work.
5. We’re slowly getting used to waking up early for the new job.
6. I can’t get used to this new phone’s interface.
7. I get him used to using Git every day.

Tip: Words like slowly, gradually, or soon often appear with get used to.

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adjust to + noun / ‑ing

Meaning: Change your behaviour a little to fit a new situation.
日本語：状況に合わせて調整する。(adapt to より小さいことへの対応)

form

• adapt to Noun (intransitive verb)
• adapt Objective to Noun (transitive verb)

More Examples

1. The team adjusted to the time‑zone difference.
2. It took me a week to adjust to the altitude.
3. Can you adjust to the new policy?
4. She is adjusting to college life.
5. Employees adjusted to the new management style after some training.
6. It’s tough to adjust to living alone, but I’m trying.

Tip: Adjust is about small changes.

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adapt to + noun / ‑ing

Meaning: Make bigger changes to succeed in a new environment.
日本語：環境に合わせて適応する（より大きな変化）。

form

• adapt to Noun (intransitive verb)
• adapt Objective to Noun (transitive verb)

More Examples

1. Plants adapt to dry deserts.
2. Companies must adapt to market changes.
3. After moving abroad, he quickly adapted to the culture.
4. Kids adapt to new technology fast.
5. We need to adapt to changing customer preferences quickly.
6. Robots can adapt to different tasks if programmed well.

Tip: Adapt implies a bigger or long‑term change than adjust.

Quick Comparison Table

Idea	State or Process?	Size of Change	Example Sentence
be used to	State (already)	—	I am used to cold weather.
get used to	Process (becoming)	—	She is getting used to online classes.
adjust to	Process	Small tweaks	We adjusted to the new schedule.
adapt to	Process	Bigger shift	Animals adapt to climate change.