Published September 12, 2024 • Updated September 19, 2026 — By French teacher David Issokson with native audio by Marie Assel Cambier
Servir meaning
Servir is a French verb meaning “to serve.” It can be used for serving food or drinks, helping or assisting someone, and describing what something is used for with servir à. In the reflexive form, se servir de means “to use,” while se servir can also mean “to help oneself to” something.
Servir pronunciation
The IPA pronunciation of servir is /sɛʁ.viʁ/, which sounds approximately like “sehr-veer.”
Servir example sentences
Le serveur sert le repas.
The waiter serves the meal.
Servir can translate to “to help” or “to assist”.
Je suis toujours prêt à servir les autres.
I’m always ready to help others.
Servir à means “to be used for” or “to be used to”.
Cette scie sert à couper le bois.
This saw is used to cut wood.
A quoi sert-il ce club de golf ?
What is this golf club used for?
In the reflexive form, se servir + noun means “to help yourself to” or to take.
Je me sers un peu de glace pendant la nuit.
I help myself to some ice cream during the night.
Se servir de means “to use”.
Est-ce que tu te sers de cet outil ?
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🔗 Related words and expressions
- le service — service
- un serveur / une serveuse — waiter / waitress
- un serviteur / une servante — servant
- une portion — serving, portion
- desservir — to serve, provide service to
- rendre service à quelqu’un — to do someone a favor
- être au service de — to be at the service of
📚 Related lessons
👉 French reflexive verbs »
👉 Servir conjugation »
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