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"Servir" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to be useful", and "revolcar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to knock down". Learn more about the difference between "servir" and "revolcar" 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.
revolcar(
rreh
-
bohl
-
kahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to knock down
El toro revolcó al diestro y lo pisoteó.The bull knocked down the matador and trampled on him.
b. to knock over
El viento revolcó las sombrillas, arrastrándolas varios metros.The wind knocked over the sunshades and dragged them meters away.
2. (colloquial) (to defeat)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. to wipe the floor with (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
El candidato republicano revolcó a su rival en el debate y ganó más popularidad si cabe.The Republican candidate wiped the floor with his rival in the debate and gained even more popularity.
revolcarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
3. (to roll)
a. to roll around
Sus chistes eran tan graciosos que me revolcaba de la risa.His jokes were so funny that I was rolling around laughing.
b. to roll about
Los niños salieron del mar y se revolcaron en la arena.The children came out from the sea and rolled about in the sand.
4. (colloquial) (to have sexual intercourse)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. to have a roll in the hay (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Escuché que te revolcaste con Mariano después de la fiesta. ¿Es cierto?I heard that you and Mariano had a roll in the hay after the party. Is that true?
