Serve time Meaning in English
expression
ˈsɝv/ /ˈtaɪm
SURV TYME
sˈɜːv/ /tˈaɪm
SURV TYME
Definition
To spend a period of time in prison as punishment for a crime.
Usage & Nuances
Informal and common in spoken English, especially legal or criminal contexts. 'Serve time' always refers to being imprisoned, not just being punished. Often used with specific lengths ('serve five years'), and never with non-prison situations.
Spanish: cumplir condena - estar en prisiónPortuguese (BR): cumprir pena - estar presoPortuguese (PT): cumprir pena - estar presoChinese (Simplified): 服刑 - 坐牢Chinese (Traditional): 服刑 - 坐牢Hindi: सज़ा काटनाArabic: قضاء مدة السجنBengali: জেল খাটা - কারাভোগ করাRussian: отбывать срокJapanese: 服役する - 刑務所に入るVietnamese: thi hành án (tù)Korean: 복역하다Turkish: hapis yatmak - ceza çekmek (hapiste)Urdu: جیل کاٹناIndonesian: menjalani hukuman penjara
Example Sentences
He will serve time for stealing.
basic
After the trial, she had to serve time.
basic
Many must serve time for serious crimes.
basic
He got caught and had to serve time, but now he's trying to turn his life around.
natural
Did you hear that Tom had to serve time? Nobody expected that from him.
natural
Some people serve time and never change, but others come out better.
natural