ajustar
/axusˈtaɾ/
The English phrase "tweaking" can be translated into Spanish as ajustar.
In Spanish, ajustar is used when you are making small changes to something to improve it or make it work better. You can also use the phrase modificar ligeramente to express the idea of modifying something slightly, or hacer ajustes to mean making adjustments. If you want to emphasize the small scale of the changes, you might say ajustar un poquito, which means to adjust a little bit.
Which one should you use?
While the verb cambiar is used for changing something entirely, ajustar is specifically used for making fine-tuned, incremental improvements.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the continuous action of tweaking, use the present participle (gerund) ajustando, which is derived from ajustar.
How do you pronounce it?
/axusˈtaɾ/
Did you know?
- While ajustar means tweaking in a technical sense, the reflexive form ajustarse often describes a person adapting to a new situation or habit, such as moving to a new city.
- The core of ajustar is tied to the word 'just', implying that tweaking something is actually the act of bringing it into a state of correctness or 'justice'.
- When used in a legal or financial context, ajustar can shift from the sense of 'tweaking' to the formal act of settling a debt or reconciling a claim.
Examples in context
- Necesito ajustar los detalles del proyectoI need to tweak the project details
- Decidimos modificar ligeramente la estrategia de marketingWe decided to tweak the marketing strategy
- El equipo de diseño debe hacer ajustes finalesThe design team needs to make final tweaks
- Voy a toquetear la configuración del teléfonoI'm going to tweak the phone settings
- Lo voy a ajustar un poquito para que funcione mejorI'll tweak it a little bit to make it work better
- Hagamos algunos ajustes en la presentación antes de la reunión.Let's make some tweaks to the presentation before the meeting.
- Estoy ajustando los detalles del plan.I am tweaking the details of the plan.
- Necesito ajustar la configuración de la cámara.I need to tweak the camera settings.
Example conversation
Mateo is working on a piece of software while Lucía watches.
- Lucía¿Qué estás haciendo, Mateo?What are you doing, Mateo?
- MateoSolo estoy ajustando el código para que sea más rápido.I am just tweaking the code to make it faster.
- LucíaParece que necesitas mucho tiempo para ajustar eso.It seems like you need a lot of time to tweak that.
- MateoSí, pero el resultado valdrá la pena.Yes, but the result will be worth it.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ajustar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ajustar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
