servir

=

to serve

verb

servir

transitive verb

1. to serve

¿te sirvo más patatas? -> would you like some more potatoes?
¿me sirve un poco más, por favor? -> could I have a bit more, please?
¿en qué puedo servirle? -> what can I do for you?
la polémica está servida -> the gloves are off

intransitive verb

2. to serve (prestar servicio)

servir en el Ejército -> to serve in the Army

3. (valer, ser útil)

esta batidora ya no sirve/aún sirve -> this mixer is no good any more/can still be used
no sirve para estudiar -> he's no good at studying
de nada sirve que se lo digas -> it's no use telling him
servir de algo -> to serve as something

4. to be in service (como criado)

servirse

pronomial verb

1. (aprovecharse)

servirse de -> to make use of; (medio, objeto) to use (persona)

2. to help oneself (comida, bebida)

que cada uno se sirva lo que prefiera -> help yourselves to whatever you like

3. (Formal)

sírvase llamar cuando quiera -> please call whenever you wish

servir [ser-veer’]

article & verb transitive

1. To serve, to perform menial services.

Servir de mayordomo -> to serve as steward

2. To serve, to do a favor or kind office.

3. To court a lady.

4. To serve, to perform somebody else’s functions; to act as a substitute.

5. To serve (comida), to wait at table.

6. To heat the oven.

7. To dress victuals for the table.

8. To administer.

Para servir a Vd -> at your service
Servir de -> to serve for
Servir a la patria -> to serve one's country
Servir patatas a uno -> to serve somebody with potatoes

verb neuter

9. To serve, to be in the services of another (criado), to be subject to another. (n)

10. To correspond, to agree. (n)

11. To serve, to answer the purpose; to conduce; to be useful or convenient (ser útil). (n)

12. To serve, to be a soldier. (n)

13. To be employed at anything by another’s orders. (n)

Sirvió 10 años -> he served 10 years
No sirve para nada -> it's no use at all

verb reflexive

14. To deign, to vouchsafe, to condescend, to please.

Sirva de aviso -> let this be a warning

15. To make use of; to employ for some purpose.

Sírvase usted darme su dirección, please give me your address. Yo no serviría para futbolista, I’ -> be no good as a footballer
Si el señor se sirve pasar por aquí -> if the gentleman would care to come this way

To serve (en restaurante), to hold an employment, to occupy a public station.

Verb Conjugation for "servir"

Infinitive: servir

Gerund: sirviendo

Participle: servido

	Presente	Pretérito	Imperfect	Futuro	Subjuntivo
Yo	sirvo	serví	servía	serviré	sirva
Tú	sirves	serviste	servías	servirás	sirvas
Ella/Él/Usted	sirve	sirvió	servía	servirá	sirva
Nosotros	servimos	servimos	servíamos	serviremos	sirvamos
Vosotros	servís	servisteis	servíais	serviréis	sirváis
Ellos/Ustedes	sirven	sirvieron	servían	servirán	sirvan

Complete servir conjugation

"servir" in the Answers forum


Q:	how to change servir, pedir to present-tense....El mesero les________ a los clientes…
A:	The waiter serves to them. So serves would be 3rd person singular of sirven. He serves to them what they ask of him. So pedir would be 3rd person…

Q:	Hace un año, yo fui a Irlanda para servir la gente. Proofreading help!
A:	la organización Youth for Christ cuatro de los Estados Unidos Lo menor tenía diecisiete años y la mayor tenía veintitrés. (thanks gfreed)…

Q:	How do you finish this sentance using one of these words? Pedir, ser, preferir or servir.
A:	Well, only one makes sense so either you don't know the 4 words in English or you don't understand the sentence. Here's the sentence, you look up the…