Serve to Meaning in English
expression
ˈsɝv/ /ˈtu/, /tə/, /tɪ
SURV-too, SURV-tuh, SURV-tih
sˈɜːv/ /tˈuː
SURV-too
Definition
Used to explain the purpose or function of something; to indicate what something is meant to do.
Usage & Nuances
Formal and commonly used in academic or explanatory contexts. Often followed by an infinitive verb ('serve to illustrate', 'serve to remind'). Avoid using with a noun directly—prefer 'serve as' or 'serve for' in those cases.
Spanish: servir paraPortuguese (BR): servir paraPortuguese (PT): servir paraChinese (Simplified): 用来 - 用于Chinese (Traditional): 用來 - 用於Hindi: के लिए उपयोग होनाArabic: تُستخدم لـ - تُفيد فيBengali: উদ্দেশ্য পূরণ করে - কাজ করেRussian: служить для того чтобы - предназначаться для того чтобыJapanese: 〜する役割を果たす - 〜するために使われるVietnamese: có tác dụng để - nhằm mục đíchKorean: ~하는 데에 쓰이다 - ~하는 역할을 하다Turkish: -meye/-mak için hizmet etmek - amacını taşımakUrdu: کام آنا (کسی مقصد کے لیے) - مقصد پورا کرناIndonesian: berfungsi untuk - digunakan untuk
Example Sentences
These notes serve to remind you of important topics.
basic
The lights serve to guide people in the dark.
basic
These examples serve to explain the rule.
basic
Those charts serve to make the data much clearer.
natural
The warning signs serve to prevent accidents.
natural
In this story, the animals serve to teach a moral lesson.
natural