servir
Stem-changing (e -> i) Level A2 ⭐ #48 Most CommonEnglish translation: to serve / to be useful
Present (Presente)
Serving or working now.
| Subject Pronoun | Conjugation | Audio |
|---|---|---|
| yo | sirvo | |
| tú | sirves | |
| él/ella/usted | sirve | |
| nosotros/as | servimos | |
| vosotros/as | servís | |
| ellos/ellas/ustedes | sirven |
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Frequently Asked Questions: SERVIR
Is "servir" a regular or irregular verb in Spanish? ▾
"servir" is classified as a Stem-changing (e -> i) verb in Spanish. Its characteristic conjugation pattern is "e -> i vowel shift in present and 3rd person preterite". Undergoes e -> i stem shift: yo sirvo, tú sirves, él sirve, ellos sirven. Also in 3rd person preterite: sirvió, sirvieron. 'Servir para + infinitive' means 'to be useful for doing something'.
What does "servir" mean in English? ▾
In English, "servir" translates primarily to "to serve / to be useful". In natural speech, it is commonly used across CEFR level A2 contexts for everyday communication.
What is the most frequent mistake learners make with "servir"? ▾
A frequent error is saying "Él servió la comida" instead of "Él sirvió la comida". Why? In preterite 3rd-person, the 'e' shifts to 'i': sirvió (not servió).
What are common idioms or expressions with "servir"? ▾
A popular idiom is "No servir para nada" which means "To be completely useless" (e.g. "Este teléfono viejo ya no sirve para nada.").
How can I practice and memorize "servir" conjugations? ▾
Use Verbpedia's built-in interactive flashcards, pronounce each form using native Web Speech audio, and complete the instant mini-quiz below. You can also print a distraction-free A4 cheat sheet using the Print button above.
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Quick Practice: Fill in the Blanks
Test your understanding of 'servir' across tenses
How do you conjugate 'él/ella' in the preterite of servir?
Other Important Spanish Verbs to Study
to have / to be (age, hunger)
to be (identity, permanent traits)
to be (temporary states, location)
to go
to do / to make
to want / to love
to know (facts, how to do something)
to come
to speak / to talk
to be able to / can
to live / reside
to eat
to sleep
to put / place / set
to leave / go out / exit
to feel / regret
to ask for / request / order
to drive / lead
to fall
to bring
to hear, listen to
to know / to be acquainted with / to meet
to think / to plan (+ inf)
to give / to produce / to hit
to see / to watch
to arrive / to reach
to lose / to miss (train/bus)
to understand / to comprehend
to return / to come back
to believe / to think
to look for / to search
to wait / to hope / to expect
to sit / to seat (reflexive: sentarse)
to be worth / to cost
to die
to be born
to follow / to continue
to appear / to show up
to obtain / to get / to manage to
to open
to write