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"Servir" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to be useful", and "repetir" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to do again". Learn more about the difference between "servir" and "repetir" below.
servir(
sehr
-
beer
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
b. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
¿Te sirve este?Is this one any good to you?
Hay que comprar una sartén nueva porque esta ya no sirve.We need to buy a new frying pan because this one is no good any more.
a. to be in service
Había trabajado sirviendo a la familia durante muchos años.He had been in the family's service for years.
5. (military)
a. to serve
Mi tío sirvió en las fuerzas armadas durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial.My uncle served in the armed forces during World War II.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to serve
Esta compañía sirve a clientes de todo el mundo.This company serves customers around the world.
7. (culinary)
servirse
A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
a. to help oneself to
Sírvanse lo que quieran del bufet.Help yourselves to anything from the buffet.
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
b. to make use of
Nuestros huéspedes pueden servirse de todas las instalaciones.Our guests can make use of all the facilities.
repetir(
rreh
-
peh
-
teer
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to redo)
a. to do again
El perro se comió mis deberes, y ahora tengo que repetirlos.The dog ate my homework and now I have to do it again.
a. to repeat
Solo lo diré una vez así que no me pidan que lo repita.I'll only say it once so don't ask me to repeat myself.
3. (to imitate)
a. to repeat
Mi hijo pequeño repite todo lo que su hermano dice.My younger son repeats everything his brother says.
4. (to retake)
a. to repeat
Si tu asistencia no mejora, tendrás que repetir el año.If your attendance does not improve, you will need to repeat the year.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
6. (to affect)
a. to have an aftertaste
Los pepinos no repiten si los pelas antes de comerlos.Cucumbers don't have an aftertaste if you remove the skin before eating them.
b. to repeat on (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
No puedo comer ajo porque me repite.I can't eat garlic because it repeats on me.
a. to burp
Su marido siempre repite durante nuestra cena familiar. ¡Qué asco!Her husband always burps during our family dinner. How disgusting!
repetirse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to recur
Esas fases se repiten cada cinco años por término medio.These phases recur every five years on average.
