How to Say “Thoda Adjust Kar Lo” in English (Without Sounding Awkward)

Your cousin is staying over and the bed is tiny. Your teammate wants the deadline moved. An auto driver says the fare is fixed. In all of these, a Hindi speaker reaches for the same magic line: “Thoda adjust kar lo.” It is short, warm and works everywhere in Hindi. In English, there is no single sentence that does the same job, and a word-for-word translation often sounds strange.

Why “Adjust Kar Lo” Does Not Translate Word for Word

“Thoda adjust kar lo” can mean many things: move over, be patient, be flexible, accept a smaller thing, or meet me halfway. English likes to name the exact thing you want. So the first step is to ask yourself: what am I really asking for?

“Please adjust a little” is not wrong, and people will understand you. But in many situations it sounds vague or even a little commanding. The phrases below sound more natural.

When You Want Someone to Make Space

On a bench, in a car, at a crowded table:

• “Could you move over a little?”
• “Would you mind scooting over a bit?”
• “Is there room for one more?”

Add “sorry” or “thanks so much” and the request feels friendly instead of pushy.

When You Want Someone to Be Flexible

This is the office version of “adjust kar lo”:

• “Could you be a little flexible on this?”
• “Can we work something out?”
• “Would it be possible to move the deadline slightly?”

A short reason helps: “The client changed the brief yesterday, so could we push this to Friday?” If you want to practice more office conversations, read how to speak up in English meetings when your mind goes blank.

When You Want to Meet in the Middle

In a disagreement or a price talk, “adjust” usually means both sides give a little:

• “Can we meet in the middle?”
• “Could we find a middle ground?”
• “Would you be open to meeting me halfway?”

These pair well with polite disagreement. Our post on how to disagree in English without starting an argument has more lines you can use.

When You Want Someone to Be Patient

Sometimes “adjust kar lo” simply means “please put up with this for now”:

• “Please bear with me for a moment.”
• “Thanks for your patience, it will be sorted soon.”
• “I know it is not ideal, but could we manage this way for today?”

When You Are the One Who Needs to Adjust

You may also need to say “I will adjust”:

• “That works for me, I can make it work.”
• “No problem, I will manage.”
• “I can be flexible with the timing.”

Two Small Conversations to Copy

At home: “My cousin is staying for the weekend. Could you share your room with her, just for two nights?” The reply can be: “Sure, that works for me. I will manage.”

At work: “I know the deadline is tight. Would it be possible to send you the draft by Thursday morning instead?” The reply can be: “Let me check with the team. I think we can meet you halfway.”

Notice what both examples do. They name the situation, make a clear and polite request, and leave room for the other person to answer. That is what “adjust kar lo” does in Hindi through tone and relationship, and in English you build it with words.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Saying only “Please adjust.” It can sound like an order, especially at work or with someone you do not know well.
• Using “adjust” for every situation. In English it usually means changing a setting or a detail, like “adjust the volume”.
• Forgetting the reason. A short “because” makes people far more willing to help.
• Skipping the thank you. A simple “Thanks for understanding” finishes the request on a warm note.

A Simple Way to Practice

Pick one situation from your own week, such as a shared seat, a shifted meeting or a bargaining moment. Say the English line out loud three times in the morning and use it once during the day. Many learners find that short, regular practice builds confidence faster than occasional long sessions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I just say “Please adjust a little” in English?

You can, and people will understand you. But it can sound a bit odd or blunt in many situations. It is safer to say what you actually want: “Could you move over a little?” or “Could we meet in the middle?”

What is the most polite way to ask someone to compromise?

Try “Would you be open to meeting me halfway?” or “Is there any way we can find a middle ground?” Both sound respectful and invite the other person to talk instead of giving an order.

How do I say “adjust kar lo” at work?

Use phrases like “Could you be flexible on this?”, “Can we work something out?” or “Would it be possible to adjust the timeline a little?” Pair them with a short reason so the request feels fair.

Is “adjust” the wrong word in English?

No, “adjust” is a real English word, but it usually means changing a setting or a detail, like “adjust the volume” or “adjust the schedule”. When you mean “tolerate” or “make room”, other words usually sound more natural.

How do I stop translating word for word from Hindi?

Start with the situation, not the Hindi sentence. Ask yourself what you want from the other person (space, patience, flexibility), then pick the English phrase for that. Practicing a few phrases aloud each day helps them come out faster.

If you would like guided speaking practice for everyday and office situations like these, take a look at Parul Ma’am’s spoken English program and see if it fits your routine. Over 15,000 students have trained with us since 2010.