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A1 verb #1,500 सबसे आम 13 मिनट पढ़ने का समय

servir

शीर्ष 1,500

इसका अभ्यास करें उदाहरण नोट्स और सुझाव servir 30 सेकंड में

व्याख्या servir in your Level:

At the A1 beginner level, your primary encounter with the verb 'servir' will be in its most literal and concrete sense: the act of serving food and beverages. When you are learning basic vocabulary related to restaurants, cafes, and dining at home, 'servir' is the action word that describes bringing the meal to the table. You will learn to recognize and use phrases like 'O garçom serve a comida' (The waiter serves the food) or 'A mãe serve o jantar' (The mother serves dinner). At this stage, the focus is on understanding simple, direct statements in the present tense. You will need to memorize the basic conjugation, paying special attention to the irregular first-person singular 'eu sirvo' (I serve) and the regular third-person 'ele/ela serve' (he/she serves). You will also encounter the polite imperative form used in hospitality, such as 'Sirva-se' (Help yourself), which is essential for basic social interactions around food. The goal at the A1 level is not to master the abstract uses of the verb, but to confidently use it to describe the physical transfer of food and drink from a provider to a recipient in everyday, highly contextualized situations like ordering at a restaurant or describing a family meal.

As you progress to the A2 elementary level, the scope of 'servir' expands significantly beyond the dining table. While you will continue to use it for food, you will now learn its crucial application in the context of clothing and shopping. You will learn to express whether an item of clothing fits you or not, using phrases like 'A camisa serve' (The shirt fits) or 'O sapato não serve' (The shoe doesn't fit). This requires understanding how 'servir' interacts with indirect object pronouns (me, te, lhe), e.g., 'Isso não me serve' (That doesn't fit me). Furthermore, you will begin to use 'servir' to describe the basic utility or purpose of everyday objects. You will learn the construction 'servir para' (to be used for), enabling you to ask and answer questions about functionality, such as 'Para que serve isto?' (What is this for?) and 'Serve para limpar' (It's used for cleaning). At this level, you are moving from simple physical actions to expressing relationships between objects and their intended uses, as well as personal physical relationships with garments, making your vocabulary much more practical for daily life and travel.

पूरी व्याख्या पढ़ने के लिए मुफ़्त साइन अप करें

At the B1 intermediate level, your mastery of 'servir' deepens as you begin to use it in more abstract and flexible ways. You will confidently employ the structure 'servir de' to indicate that an object is functioning as a substitute for something else, such as 'A caixa serve de mesa' (The box serves as a table). This demonstrates a higher level of cognitive flexibility in your language use. You will also start to encounter and use 'servir' in professional and civic contexts, such as 'servir o país' (to serve the country) or 'servir ao público' (to serve the public). Grammatically, you will be expected to use 'servir' correctly across various tenses, including the past (perfeito and imperfeito) and the future, navigating its stem changes smoothly. For example, 'Ele serviu o exército' (He served in the army) or 'O garçom servia as mesas quando a luz acabou' (The waiter was serving the tables when the power went out). At B1, 'servir' becomes a tool for expressing not just physical actions or basic utility, but also roles, temporary functions, and broader concepts of duty and service in society.

पूरी व्याख्या पढ़ने के लिए मुफ़्त साइन अप करें

Reaching the B2 upper-intermediate level means you can handle the nuances and idiomatic expressions associated with 'servir' with considerable fluency. You will understand its usage in more complex, metaphorical contexts. For instance, you will grasp phrases like 'Isso não serve de desculpa' (That doesn't serve as an excuse) or 'A experiência serviu de lição' (The experience served as a lesson). You will be comfortable using the reflexive form 'servir-se de' to mean 'to make use of' something abstractly, such as 'Ele serviu-se da sua influência' (He made use of his influence). At this stage, your command of the subjunctive mood is solidifying, and you will correctly apply the irregular present subjunctive forms of 'servir' (que eu sirva, que ele sirva) in complex sentences expressing doubt, desire, or necessity. You will also be able to distinguish clearly between 'servir' and synonyms like 'atender' or 'funcionar' in nuanced professional or technical discussions, choosing the exact word required for precise communication without hesitation.

पूरी व्याख्या पढ़ने के लिए मुफ़्त साइन अप करें

At the C1 advanced level, 'servir' is fully integrated into your active vocabulary, and you deploy it with native-like intuition. You understand and use highly idiomatic and culturally specific expressions involving the verb. You can effortlessly navigate literary texts or formal speeches where 'servir' is used to convey profound concepts of altruism, subservience, or existential purpose. You are adept at using it in passive constructions and complex compound tenses. For example, 'Tendo servido a coroa por décadas, ele se aposentou' (Having served the crown for decades, he retired). You recognize the subtle pragmatic differences in how 'servir' is used in different Portuguese-speaking regions (e.g., variations in prepositional usage or pronoun placement between Portugal and Brazil). At this level, you can also play with the language, using 'servir' sarcastically or ironically, such as saying 'Para que me serve tanta riqueza se não tenho saúde?' (What good is so much wealth to me if I don't have health?), demonstrating a deep, sophisticated control over the semantic range of the verb.

पूरी व्याख्या पढ़ने के लिए मुफ़्त साइन अप करें

At the C2 mastery level, your understanding of 'servir' is comprehensive and academic. You are aware of its etymological roots in the Latin 'servire' and how its meaning has evolved throughout the history of the Portuguese language. You can analyze its usage in classical literature, poetry, and complex philosophical discourse, where 'servir' might explore the dichotomy between master and servant, or the ultimate utility of human actions. You can articulate the syntactic rules governing its behavior as a transitive, intransitive, or pronominal verb with absolute precision. In your own production, whether writing a formal academic paper or engaging in high-level debate, you use 'servir' flawlessly, manipulating its various meanings and prepositional dependencies to construct elegant, persuasive, and highly nuanced arguments. You possess a complete, almost intuitive grasp of every possible connotation, collocation, and idiomatic application of the verb, reflecting a true mastery of the Portuguese language.

पूरी व्याख्या पढ़ने के लिए मुफ़्त साइन अप करें

इसका अभ्यास करें उदाहरण नोट्स और सुझाव

servir 30 सेकंड में

To present food or drink (O garçom serve).
To be used for a purpose (Serve para cortar).
To fit a person's body (A roupa serve).
To act as something else (Serve de mesa).

The Portuguese verb 'servir' is a highly versatile and fundamental lexical item that learners encounter very early in their language acquisition journey, yet it possesses a depth of meaning that extends well into advanced proficiency levels. At its most basic, foundational CEFR A1 level, 'servir' translates directly to the English verb 'to serve'. This primary definition is most frequently associated with the hospitality and culinary contexts. When you are in a restaurant, a cafe, or a dining room, the act of presenting food, pouring drinks, or attending to the culinary needs of guests is encapsulated by this verb. For instance, a waiter serves a meal, a host serves wine, and a cafeteria worker serves lunch. However, the semantic field of 'servir' is remarkably broad and extends far beyond the dining table. It fundamentally conveys the idea of providing a service, fulfilling a purpose, or being of use to someone or something. This brings us to its secondary, yet equally important, meanings. 'Servir' is extensively used to indicate that an object has a specific function or utility. When you ask 'Para que serve isto?' you are inquiring about the purpose or function of an item, translating to 'What is this used for?' or 'What purpose does this serve?'. Furthermore, in the context of clothing and apparel, 'servir' takes on the meaning of 'to fit'. If you try on a shirt and it is the correct size, you would say 'A camisa serve' (The shirt fits). If it is too small or too large, 'não serve'. This specific usage is crucial for everyday interactions in retail environments. Additionally, 'servir' can be used in a more abstract sense to denote serving a cause, a country, or an institution, such as 'servir o exército' (to serve in the military) or 'servir a pátria' (to serve the homeland). The verb can also be used reflexively, 'servir-se', which means to help oneself, typically to food or drink, as in 'Sirva-se!' (Help yourself!). Understanding these varied nuances is essential for achieving fluency, as 'servir' bridges the gap between concrete physical actions and abstract functional concepts.

Culinary Context: The most direct translation, meaning to present food or beverages to someone at a table or during a meal.

Functional Utility: Used to describe the purpose of an object, often paired with the preposition 'para' (servir para).

Apparel Fitting: Indicates whether an item of clothing is the correct size for a person's body.

O garçom vai servir o jantar agora mesmo.

Esta chave não serve para esta porta.

As calças novas me servem perfeitamente.

Ele decidiu servir o seu país com orgulho.

Por favor, sirva-se de mais bolo se quiser.

Mastering the usage of the verb 'servir' requires an understanding of its conjugation patterns, which feature a significant stem change in the present tense, as well as its specific syntactic behaviors when combined with various prepositions. 'Servir' is a third-conjugation verb (ending in -ir), but it is irregular. In the present indicative, the 'e' in the stem changes to 'i' in the first person singular: 'eu sirvo'. The rest of the singular forms and the third person plural revert to the 'e' stem but are pronounced with an open or closed quality depending on the dialect: 'tu serves', 'ele/ela/você serve', 'eles/elas/vocês servem'. The first and second person plural maintain the regular stem: 'nós servimos', 'vós servis'. This 'e' to 'i' stem change also heavily influences the present subjunctive, where the 'i' persists throughout all conjugations: 'que eu sirva, que tu sirvas, que ele sirva, que nós sirvamos, que eles sirvam'. Beyond conjugation, the true mastery of 'servir' lies in its prepositional pairings. When expressing the purpose or function of an object, 'servir' is invariably followed by the preposition 'para'. For example, 'A faca serve para cortar' (The knife serves to cut / is used for cutting). If you want to say that something acts as or functions in the capacity of something else, you use the preposition 'de'. For instance, 'O sofá serve de cama para as visitas' (The sofa serves as a bed for the guests). When referring to serving a person, it can be a direct transitive verb (servir o cliente) or an indirect transitive verb depending on the exact nuance and regional variations, though in standard grammar, serving food to someone often takes an indirect object (servir o jantar ao cliente). In the context of clothing fitting, it operates intransitively with an indirect object pronoun indicating the person: 'O sapato não lhe serve' (The shoe does not fit him/her). Furthermore, the reflexive usage 'servir-se' is frequently followed by the preposition 'de' when specifying what one is helping oneself to: 'Sirva-se da salada' (Help yourself to the salad). Understanding these structural nuances ensures that your Portuguese sounds natural, precise, and contextually appropriate across a wide range of conversational scenarios.

Servir para: Used to indicate the purpose or function of an object. Translates to 'used for' or 'serves to'.

Servir de: Used to indicate that something is acting in the capacity of something else, often temporarily. Translates to 'serves as'.

Servir-se de: A reflexive construction used to invite someone to take food or drink, or to make use of something.

Eu sirvo o café da manhã todos os dias às oito.

Este aplicativo serve para aprender novos idiomas rapidamente.

A caixa de papelão serviu de mesa durante a mudança.

Espero que esta lição te sirva de exemplo para o futuro.

Os convidados podem servir-se das bebidas no bar.

The verb 'servir' is ubiquitous in Portuguese-speaking environments, permeating various facets of daily life, commerce, and social interaction. Its most prominent and immediate context is undoubtedly within the hospitality and gastronomy sectors. From the bustling churrascarias of Brazil to the traditional tascas of Portugal, 'servir' is the operational core of the dining experience. You will hear waiters asking 'O que desejam que eu sirva?' (What would you like me to serve?) or patrons requesting 'Pode me servir mais um pouco de água, por favor?' (Can you serve me a little more water, please?). In domestic settings, during family gatherings or dinner parties, the host will frequently use the reflexive form, encouraging guests with a warm 'Sirvam-se, a comida está na mesa!' (Help yourselves, the food is on the table!). Beyond the culinary world, 'servir' is a critical vocabulary word in retail, specifically in clothing and footwear stores. When trying on garments in a fitting room (provador), the interaction with the shop assistant will heavily rely on this verb. They might ask, 'A calça serviu?' (Did the pants fit?), to which you might reply, 'Não, ficou apertada, não serve' (No, it was tight, it doesn't fit). Furthermore, 'servir' is frequently encountered in practical, problem-solving conversations regarding tools, technology, and household items. When someone is looking for a specific instrument to complete a task, they will ask about its utility: 'Esta ferramenta serve para consertar a bicicleta?' (Is this tool used for fixing the bike?). In professional and formal contexts, 'servir' appears in discussions about duty, employment, and public service. Politicians speak of 'servir o povo' (serving the people), and military personnel talk about 'servir as forças armadas' (serving the armed forces). Even in religious contexts, the concept of serving a higher power or the community is expressed using this verb. Its pervasive nature means that a language learner will encounter 'servir' in almost every conceivable environment, making it an indispensable tool for effective communication and comprehension in the Portuguese language.

Restaurants and Cafes: The most common setting, referring to the act of bringing food and drinks to customers.

Clothing Stores: Used constantly in fitting rooms to discuss whether garments are the correct size.

Hardware and Tech: Used to inquire about or explain the function and utility of various tools and devices.

Boa noite, eu serei o garçom que vai servir a sua mesa hoje.

Moça, este vestido não me serve, você tem um tamanho maior?

Alguém sabe para que serve este botão vermelho no controle remoto?

O meu avô orgulha-se muito de ter servido na marinha durante a juventude.

A sopa está quente, por favor, sirvam-se antes que esfrie.

While 'servir' is a common verb, it presents several pitfalls for learners of Portuguese, primarily stemming from its irregular conjugation, its specific prepositional requirements, and false equivalencies with verbs in other languages. The most frequent and glaring error occurs in the first person singular of the present indicative. Because the infinitive is 'servir', many learners logically, but incorrectly, assume the 'eu' form is 'servo'. However, 'servo' is a noun meaning 'servant' or 'serf'. The correct verb form is 'sirvo' (eu sirvo). This 'e' to 'i' stem change is a classic stumbling block. Another major area of confusion involves the distinction between 'servir' and 'caber' when talking about things fitting. 'Servir' is used exclusively for clothing and accessories fitting a person's body (e.g., 'A camisa me serve'). 'Caber', on the other hand, means 'to fit inside' a space or container. You cannot say 'O carro não serve na garagem' to mean the car doesn't fit in the garage; you must use 'caber' ('O carro não cabe na garagem'). Mixing these two up is a very common marker of non-native speech. Furthermore, learners often struggle with the prepositions that follow 'servir'. When expressing purpose, it must be 'servir para' (to be used for). Using 'servir por' is incorrect in this context. Similarly, when expressing that something acts as something else, the correct structure is 'servir de' (e.g., 'servir de mesa'), not 'servir como', although 'servir como' is sometimes used in modern speech, 'servir de' is the more traditional and widely accepted standard for objects substituting others. Lastly, English speakers often try to translate the phrase 'it serves you right' directly into Portuguese using 'servir'. This does not work. The Portuguese equivalent for 'it serves you right' is an entirely different idiomatic expression, usually 'bem feito!' (literally 'well done'). Avoiding these specific errors will significantly elevate the naturalness and grammatical accuracy of your Portuguese.

Conjugation Error: Saying 'eu servo' instead of the correct irregular form 'eu sirvo'.

Servir vs. Caber: Using 'servir' to describe objects fitting into spaces, which requires the verb 'caber'.

Wrong Preposition: Using 'servir por' instead of 'servir para' when describing the purpose or function of an item.

Incorreto: Eu servo o jantar. | Correto: Eu sirvo o jantar.

Incorreto: O livro não serve na bolsa. | Correto: O livro não cabe na bolsa. (Use servir for clothes fitting people).

Incorreto: A caneta serve por escrever. | Correto: A caneta serve para escrever.

Incorreto: Isso te serve direito! | Correto: Bem feito! (Do not translate 'it serves you right' literally).

Incorreto: A caixa serve como cadeira. | Melhor: A caixa serve de cadeira.

To fully appreciate the specific semantic territory occupied by 'servir', it is helpful to compare it with other Portuguese verbs that share similar meanings or are used in overlapping contexts. While 'servir' is the go-to verb for presenting food, the verb 'atender' is crucial in the broader service industry. 'Atender' means 'to attend to', 'to answer' (a phone), or 'to serve' in the sense of helping a customer in a shop or an office. A waiter 'serve' the food, but a receptionist 'atende' the client. Another related verb is 'oferecer' (to offer). While a host might 'servir' a drink, they first 'oferecem' it. 'Oferecer' implies the gesture of giving someone the option to take something, whereas 'servir' is the physical act of providing it. In the context of utility ('servir para'), the verb 'funcionar' (to function / to work) is a close synonym. You can say 'Esta máquina não serve para nada' (This machine is useless) or 'Esta máquina não funciona' (This machine doesn't work). While slightly different in nuance, they both address the operational status of an object. When 'servir' means to help or assist ('servir a pátria', 'servir alguém'), the verb 'ajudar' (to help) is a broader, more general alternative. However, 'servir' carries a stronger connotation of duty, subservience, or formal provision of aid compared to the simple assistance implied by 'ajudar'. Finally, regarding the fitting of clothes, the verb 'ficar' (to stay / to be) is often used in conjunction with adjectives to describe the fit, acting as an alternative way to express what 'servir' does. Instead of saying 'A camisa não serve' (The shirt doesn't fit), you might say 'A camisa ficou apertada' (The shirt is/stayed tight). Understanding these subtle distinctions allows learners to choose the most precise verb for their intended meaning, enriching their vocabulary and communicative accuracy.

Atender: To attend to a customer, answer a phone, or provide general customer service, distinct from physically serving food.

Oferecer: To offer something to someone. The step that usually precedes the actual act of serving.

Funcionar: To function or work. Often used interchangeably with 'servir para' when discussing broken or useful items.

O vendedor vai te atender em um minuto, e depois o garçom vai te servir.

Eu posso oferecer um café, se você quiser que eu sirva agora.

O rádio não funciona mais, então não serve para escutar música.

Ele gosta de ajudar as pessoas, ele nasceu para servir a comunidade.

A calça ficou larga, definitivamente não me serve.

How Formal Is It?

कठिनाई स्तर

ज़रूरी व्याकरण

Stem-changing verbs (e -> i)

Verbs with prepositions (regência verbal)

Indirect object pronouns with intransitive verbs

पूरी व्याख्या पढ़ने के लिए मुफ़्त साइन अप करें

स्तर के अनुसार उदाहरण

O garçom serve a pizza.

The waiter serves the pizza.

Present tense, third person singular. Direct object 'a pizza'.

Eu sirvo a água para você.

I serve the water for you.

Irregular first person singular 'sirvo'.

Ela serve o café da manhã.

She serves breakfast.

Common collocation 'servir o café da manhã'.

Nós servimos o jantar às oito.

We serve dinner at eight.

First person plural 'servimos', regular stem.

Eles servem comida boa aqui.

They serve good food here.

Third person plural 'servem'.

Você serve o vinho, por favor?

Do you serve the wine, please?

Using 'servir' as a polite request.

O restaurante serve almoço.

The restaurant serves lunch.

'Servir' indicating the availability of a meal.

Sirva-se do bolo!

Help yourself to the cake!

Reflexive imperative 'sirva-se' used for offering food.

A camisa azul não me serve.

The blue shirt doesn't fit me.

Intransitive use with indirect object pronoun 'me' for clothing fit.

Para que serve esta máquina?

What is this machine used for?

Question structure 'Para que serve' to ask about utility.

Este sapato serve perfeitamente.

This shoe fits perfectly.

Using an adverb 'perfeitamente' to describe the fit.

A faca serve para cortar a carne.

The knife is used to cut the meat.

Structure 'servir para + infinitive' to explain purpose.

O vestido serviu na minha irmã.

The dress fit my sister.

Past tense 'serviu' with preposition 'em' (na) indicating who it fits.

Isto não serve para nada.

This is useless (serves for nothing).

Common negative expression 'não serve para nada'.

As calças servem, mas são longas.

The pants fit, but they are long.

Contrasting fit with length.

A tesoura serve para cortar papel.

Scissors are used to cut paper.

Explaining the function of a common household item.

O sofá serve de cama para as visitas.

The sofa serves as a bed for the guests.

Structure 'servir de' meaning to act as a substitute.

Ele serviu o exército por dois anos.

He served in the army for two years.

Using 'servir' in the context of military duty.

A caixa de papelão serviu de mesa.

The cardboard box served as a table.

Past tense 'serviu de' for a temporary function.

Espero que a comida sirva para todos.

I hope the food is enough for everyone.

Present subjunctive 'sirva' expressing hope/sufficiency.

Ela serve como voluntária no hospital.

She serves as a volunteer at the hospital.

Using 'servir como' to describe a role or position.

O exemplo dele serviu para nos motivar.

His example served to motivate us.

Abstract use of 'servir para' meaning to have an effect.

Se a carapuça serve, use-a.

If the shoe fits, wear it. (Idiom)

Common Portuguese idiom using 'servir'.

Eles serviram a pátria com muita honra.

They served the homeland with much honor.

Formal context of serving a country.

A sua atitude não serve de desculpa.

Your attitude does not serve as an excuse.

Abstract use of 'servir de' in a negative context.

O fracasso serviu-lhe de grande lição.

The failure served as a great lesson for him.

Pronominal use 'serviu-lhe' indicating who received the lesson.

É preciso que a lei sirva a todos igualmente.

It is necessary that the law serves everyone equally.

Subjunctive 'sirva' triggered by 'É preciso que'.

Ele serviu-se da sua influência para conseguir o cargo.

He made use of his influence to get the position.

Reflexive 'servir-se de' meaning to utilize or take advantage of.

O hotel orgulha-se de servir uma clientela exigente.

The hotel prides itself on serving a demanding clientele.

Infinitive 'servir' following a preposition.

Nada do que ele disse serviu para acalmar a situação.

Nothing he said served to calm the situation.

Negative indefinite pronoun 'nada' with 'servir para'.

A antiga fábrica agora serve de centro cultural.

The old factory now serves as a cultural center.

Describing the repurposed function of a building.

Servindo bem, sempre terá clientes.

Serving well, you will always have customers.

Gerund form 'servindo' expressing a condition.

Tendo servido a coroa por décadas, o ministro aposentou-se.

Having served the crown for decades, the minister retired.

Compound gerund 'Tendo servido' for a completed past action.

O argumento não serve senão para confundir o júri.

The argument serves only to confuse the jury.

Advanced structure 'não serve senão para' (serves only to).

De que me serve tanta riqueza se não tenho paz de espírito?

What good is so much wealth to me if I don't have peace of mind?

Rhetorical question 'De que me serve' expressing futility.

A literatura serve, primordialmente, para expandir a empatia humana.

Literature serves, primarily, to expand human empathy.

Academic/formal register using 'servir para' with an adverb.

Ele serviu-se de subterfúgios para evitar a responsabilidade.

He resorted to subterfuge to avoid responsibility.

Sophisticated vocabulary 'subterfúgios' with 'servir-se de'.

A medida provisória servirá de paliativo até a reforma final.

The provisional measure will serve as a palliative until the final reform.

Future tense 'servirá' with advanced vocabulary 'paliativo'.

É imperativo que a infraestrutura sirva às demandas do século XXI.

It is imperative that the infrastructure serves the demands of the 21st century.

Subjunctive 'sirva' in a formal, policy-oriented context.

A sua vasta experiência serviu-lhe de passaporte para o sucesso.

His vast experience served as a passport to success for him.

Metaphorical use of 'servir de'.

A obra de Machado de Assis serve de paradigma para a literatura realista brasileira.

The work of Machado de Assis serves as a paradigm for Brazilian realist literature.

Academic discourse using 'servir de paradigma'.

O conceito de utilitarismo questiona para que serve, em última análise, a moralidade.

The concept of utilitarianism questions what morality ultimately serves.

Philosophical inquiry using 'para que serve'.

Serviu-se da retórica mais inflamada para instigar a multidão à revolta.

He made use of the most inflamed rhetoric to instigate the crowd to revolt.

Literary use of 'servir-se de' with complex noun phrases.

A efemeridade da vida serve para nos lembrar da urgência do agora.

The ephemerality of life serves to remind us of the urgency of the now.

Poetic/existential reflection using 'servir para'.

O tratado serviu de pedra angular para a nova ordem geopolítica.

The treaty served as the cornerstone for the new geopolitical order.

Historical/political context using 'servir de pedra angular'.

Não lhe serviu de nada o arrependimento tardio perante o tribunal implacável.

His late repentance served him nothing before the unforgiving court.

Complex syntax 'Não lhe serviu de nada' emphasizing futility.

A arte, argumentam alguns, não deve servir a nenhum propósito utilitário.

Art, some argue, should not serve any utilitarian purpose.

Aesthetic theory discussion using 'servir a'.

Que a sua trajetória sirva de farol para as gerações vindouras.

May his trajectory serve as a beacon for coming generations.

Elevated, formal wish using the subjunctive 'sirva de farol'.

सामान्य शब्द संयोजन

servir a mesa

servir de exemplo

servir para nada

servir o jantar

servir o exército

servir de lição

servir de desculpa

servir um café

não servir para

servir a Deus

सामान्य वाक्यांश

Para que serve?

Não serve para nada.

Isso não me serve.

Sirva-se à vontade.

Serve de lição.

Servir de cobaia.

A carapuça serviu.

Servir a pátria.

O que vai servir?

Não serve de desculpa.

अक्सर इससे भ्रम होता है

servir vs caber

servir vs atender

servir vs oferecer

मुहावरे और अभिव्यक्तियाँ

"Se a carapuça servir, use-a"

"Não servir nem para peso de papel"

"Servir de escada"

"Servir a dois senhores"

"Servir de bode expiatório"

"Não servir para limpar as botas de"

"Servir de pasto"

"Servir de chacota"

"Servir de consolo"

"Servir de escudo"

आसानी से भ्रमित होने वाले

servir vs

वाक्य संरचनाएँ

सभी उदाहरण देखने के लिए मुफ़्त साइन अप करें

इसे कैसे इस्तेमाल करें

note

While 'servir' is used for clothes fitting, it is not used for clothes 'suiting' or 'looking good' on someone. For that, use 'ficar bem' (e.g., A camisa fica bem em você).

सामान्य गलतियाँ

Saying 'eu servo' instead of 'eu sirvo'.
Using 'servir' instead of 'caber' when talking about objects fitting into spaces (e.g., 'O carro não serve na garagem').
Using 'servir por' instead of 'servir para' to express the purpose of an object.
Translating 'it serves you right' literally as 'isso te serve direito' instead of using 'bem feito'.
Using 'servir' instead of 'atender' to describe a shop assistant helping a customer with a purchase.

सुझाव

The 'I' in Sirvo

Always remember the stem change in the 'eu' form. It is 'eu sirvo'. A good trick is to remember that when you serve, you are doing it for 'I' (the letter i). This stem change also affects the entire present subjunctive (que eu sirva, que tu sirvas).

Clothes vs. Spaces

Create a mental divide: Clothes = Servir. Spaces = Caber. If you are putting a shirt on a body, use servir. If you are putting a book in a bag, use caber. Mixing these up is the most common error for English speakers.

Para vs. De

Memorize these two formulas: 'Serve para + verb' (purpose: serve para cortar) and 'Serve de + noun' (substitute: serve de mesa). Getting the preposition right instantly makes your Portuguese sound much more natural and fluent.

The Polite 'Sirva-se'

When hosting Brazilians or Portuguese people, do not just point to the food. Say 'Fique à vontade, sirva-se!' (Make yourself comfortable, help yourself!). It is a cultural marker of good hosting and warmth.

A Carapuça

Learn the idiom 'Se a carapuça serviu'. It is used frequently in casual conversation, especially when gossiping or making passive-aggressive jokes. It shows a high level of cultural fluency.

The R Sound

Pay attention to the final 'r' in 'servir'. In many parts of Brazil, it is pronounced like an English 'h' (serviH), while in Portugal and some Brazilian regions, it is a tapped or rolled 'r'. Choose the accent you are targeting and mimic it.

Atender vs. Servir

In a restaurant, the host 'atende' you at the door (greets/helps you), but the waiter 'serve' you at the table (brings the food). Keep these two service verbs distinct in your mind.

Reflexive Usage

Don't be afraid to use the reflexive 'servir-se'. It is not just for food. You can say 'Ele serviu-se da oportunidade' (He took advantage of the opportunity). It is a sophisticated way to express utilizing something.

Formal Contexts

In formal writing, 'servir' is excellent for expressing duty. Phrases like 'servir o interesse público' (to serve the public interest) elevate your text and demonstrate a strong command of formal vocabulary.

Contractions in Speech

When listening to native speakers, 'serve para' will almost always sound like 'serve pra'. Train your ears to catch this contraction, as 'para' is rarely pronounced fully in casual, fast-paced conversation.

याद करें

स्मृति सहायक

Think of a SERVant SERVING food that SERVES a purpose and fits perfectly.

शब्द की उत्पत्ति

Latin

सांस्कृतिक संदर्भ

Similar to Portugal, but with distinct local intonations in formal service settings.

In Brazil, you will often hear 'serve pra' instead of 'serve para' in spoken language.

In Portugal, the pronunciation of the first 'e' is often heavily reduced or muted (/sɨɾˈviɾ/).

असल ज़िंदगी में अभ्यास करें

वास्तविक संदर्भ

बातचीत की शुरुआत

"Para que serve este aplicativo no seu celular?"

"Qual foi a melhor comida que já te serviram?"

"Você acha que o serviço militar deveria ser obrigatório?"

"Onde você compra roupas que servem bem?"

"O que você costuma servir quando recebe visitas?"

डायरी विषय

Descreva um jantar especial que você serviu para amigos.

Escreva sobre um objeto antigo na sua casa e para que ele serve.

Conte uma história sobre uma vez que uma roupa não serviu em um momento importante.

O que significa para você 'servir a comunidade'?

Qual lição do passado te serviu de exemplo hoje?

अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल

10 सवाल

'Servir' is an irregular verb that undergoes a stem change in the first person singular of the present indicative. The 'e' changes to an 'i'. This is a common pattern in Portuguese for some -ir verbs, similar to 'preferir' (eu prefiro) or 'sentir' (eu sinto). If you say 'servo', you are using the noun for 'servant' or 'serf', not the verb.

No, you cannot. This is a very common mistake. 'Servir' is used when talking about clothes or accessories fitting a person's body. When you are talking about an object fitting into a physical space or container, you must use the verb 'caber'. Therefore, you say 'O carro cabe na garagem'.

'Servir para' is used to describe the intended purpose or function of an object. For example, 'A caneta serve para escrever' (The pen is used for writing). 'Servir de', on the other hand, is used when an object is acting as a temporary substitute for something else. For example, 'A caixa serve de mesa' (The box serves as a table).

The most common and polite way to tell someone to help themselves to food or drink is to use the reflexive imperative form of 'servir'. You say 'Sirva-se!' if you are speaking to one person formally or in general Brazilian Portuguese, or 'Sirvam-se!' if you are addressing a group of people.

Generally, no. If a shop assistant is helping you find an item or answering your questions, the correct verb is 'atender'. You would say 'O vendedor me atendeu bem'. 'Servir' in a commercial context is strictly reserved for presenting food and drinks, like a waiter in a restaurant.

Yes, in certain contexts. If a tool or machine is broken and useless, you can say 'Isso não serve para nada' (This is useless/doesn't work). It is often used interchangeably with 'funcionar' when discussing whether an object can successfully perform its intended task.

This is a very common Portuguese idiom. It literally translates to 'The hood fit'. It is the equivalent of the English idiom 'If the shoe fits, wear it'. It is used when someone takes offense to a general, unnamed criticism because they secretly know it applies to them.

When you try on clothes, you use 'servir' as an intransitive verb, often with an indirect object pronoun to indicate who it fits. If a shirt is the right size, you say 'A camisa me serve' (The shirt fits me). If it doesn't, you say 'Não me serve' or simply 'Não serviu'.

There are a few noun forms depending on the context. 'O serviço' means the service (like customer service or a favor). 'O servidor' can mean a public servant or a computer server. 'O servente' is a laborer or cleaner. 'O servo' is a historical term for a serf or servant.

No, translating 'it serves you right' literally using 'servir' will not make sense in Portuguese. To express that sentiment, native speakers use the phrase 'Bem feito!' which literally means 'Well done!', but is used sarcastically to mean someone got what they deserved.

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