Serve Meaning in English
word
/ˈsɝv/
surv
/sˈɜːv/
surv
Definition
To do something for a person, group, or purpose, often by helping, providing, or working for them. It can also mean to give food to someone or to start play in sports such as tennis.
Usage & Nuances
Very common and flexible. Common patterns: 'serve customers', 'serve food', 'serve in the army', and 'serve a purpose'. In sports, 'serve' means start a point. Don't confuse it with only restaurant use; it is much broader.
Spanish: servir - atender - sacar (en deportes)Portuguese (BR): servir - atender - sacar (no esporte)Portuguese (PT): servir - atender - sacar (no desporto)Chinese (Simplified): 服务 - 端上（食物）- 发球Chinese (Traditional): 服務 - 端上（食物）- 發球Hindi: परोसना - सेवा करना - सर्व करना (खेल में)Arabic: يقدّم - يخدم - يرسل الكرة (في الرياضة)Bengali: সেবা করা - পরিবেশন করা - কাজ করা (কোনও উদ্দেশ্য)Russian: служить - обслуживать - подавать (еду)Japanese: 仕える - 提供する - 務めるVietnamese: phục vụ - dọn (thức ăn) - đáp ứng (mục đích)Korean: 봉사하다 - 제공하다 - 근무하다Turkish: hizmet etmek - servis yapmak - işe yaramakUrdu: خدمت کرنا - پیش کرنا - کام آناIndonesian: melayani - menyajikan - berfungsi
Example Sentences
They serve lunch at noon.
basic
She serves coffee to the guests.
basic
He serves in the army.
basic
This explanation serves our purpose for now.
natural
Who serves first in this game?
natural
That old table still serves as a desk.
natural