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"Sirviendo" is a form of "servir", an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to be useful". "Obrando" is a form of "obrar", an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to act". Learn more about the difference between "sirviendo" and "obrando" 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.
obrar(
oh
-
brahr
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
1. (to behave)
a. to work
El antiinflamatorio obró como era de esperar y el dolor del paciente disminuyó.The anti-inflammatory worked as expected and the patient's pain went down.
3. (formal) (to defecate)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).
a. to pass a stool
El doctor me explicó que estar estreñido implica no obrar regularmente.The doctor explained that being constipated means not passing stools regularly.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
4. (to make)
a. to work
Nadie pudo demostrar que aquel santo obrara algún milagro.No one was able to show that that saint had worked any miracle.
5. (carpentry)
