⏱️ 2 min practice • 🔥 CEFR B1

servir

Irregular (-ir) Level B1 ⭐ #55 Most Common

English translation: to serve / to be useful

Stem Pattern: Stem drops final consonant in singular present: sers, sert, servons
💡 Key Usage Note: 'Servir à' means 'used for'; 'se servir de' means 'to make use of'.
📘 Linguistic Rule: 3rd group verb. The stem-final -v disappears in the singular present (sers, sert) and returns in the plural (servons).
⚖️ Servir vs Partir (Same -ir conjugation model)
View PARTIR →
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Présent

Serving or utility.

Subject Pronoun Conjugation Audio
je sers
tu sers
il/elle/on sert
nous servons
vous servez
ils/elles servent
💡 Tip: Click any row's audio button to hear native pronunciation
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AI Smart Tutor: 'SERVIR' Insights

Linguistic breakdowns & native shortcuts

Smart Tips
🧠 Memory Trick (Mnemonic)

Cognate with 'service' and 'servant'.

⚠️ Most Common Student Mistake
✗ Don't say: Je servise le repas
✓ Say instead: Je sers le repas

Why: Servir conjugates with 'sers' in the first person singular present.

🗣️ Essential Native Idioms with 'servir'
Ça ne sert à rien

= It is completely pointless / useless

"Insister ne sert à rien."

Se servir de

= To use / utilize

"Je me sers de cet outil tous les jours."

🎴 Flashcard Practice Mode

Flip through pronouns to test active recall for 'servir'

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Présent
je

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Answer
sers

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Frequently Asked Questions: SERVIR

Is "servir" a regular or irregular verb in French? ▾

"servir" is classified as a Irregular (-ir) verb in French. Its characteristic conjugation pattern is "Stem drops final consonant in singular present: sers, sert, servons". 3rd group verb. The stem-final -v disappears in the singular present (sers, sert) and returns in the plural (servons). 'Servir à' means 'used for'; 'se servir de' means 'to make use of'.

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 B1 contexts for everyday communication.

What is the most frequent mistake learners make with "servir"? ▾

A frequent error is saying "Je servise le repas" instead of "Je sers le repas". Why? Servir conjugates with 'sers' in the first person singular present.

What are common idioms or expressions with "servir"? ▾

A popular idiom is "Ça ne sert à rien" which means "It is completely pointless / useless" (e.g. "Insister ne sert à rien.").

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

Interactive Quiz
Question 1 ()

What does 'À quoi ça sert ?' mean in English?

Other Important French Verbs to Study

être Irregular

to be

avoir Irregular

to have / to be (age)

faire Irregular

to do / to make

aller Irregular

to go

pouvoir Irregular

to be able to / can

vouloir Irregular

to want

prendre Irregular

to take / have (food/drink)

voir Irregular

to see / watch

venir Irregular

to come

parler Regular

to speak / talk

devoir Irregular Modal

must / to have to / owe

savoir Irregular

to know (facts / how to do)

croire Irregular 3rd Group

to believe, think

vivre Irregular 3rd Group

to live, exist

mettre Irregular 3rd Group (-ttre)

to put / to place / to set

partir Irregular 3rd Group (-tir)

to leave / to depart

boire Highly Irregular (-re)

to drink

comprendre Irregular (-prendre compound)

to understand / to comprehend / to include

falloir Defective & Impersonal

to be necessary / must / to need

tenir Irregular (-enir group)

to hold / to keep / to take place

lire Irregular (-ire verb)

to read / to interpret

écrire Irregular (-ire verb)

to write / to compose

ouvrir Irregular (-ir conjugated like -er)

to open / to unlock

attendre Regular -re

to wait / to wait for

choisir Regular -ir (2nd Group)

to choose / to select

rendre Regular -re

to return (give back) / to make (render)

laisser Regular -er

to leave (behind) / to let (allow)

mourir Irregular

to die

naître Irregular

to be born

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