adaptation is one of the most significant and complex strategies in translation theory and practice. It refers to the process of modifying a source text to make it culturally, linguistically, and functionally appropriate for the target audience. This article examines the concept of adaptation in translation studies and analyzes its theoretical foundations, practical applications, and role in cross-cultural communication. Using qualitative analysis of scholarly literature in translation theory, the study explores adaptation as a translation strategy, its relationship to equivalence, and its function in literary, audiovisual, and pragmatic translation. The findings suggest that adaptation plays a crucial role in achieving communicative effectiveness, especially when direct translation fails to convey cultural meaning. The study concludes that adaptation is not a deviation from translation but a necessary tool for ensuring intercultural understanding.