serve

to give food or drink to someone in a restaurant, café, etc.

servir (comida o bebida)

• serve somebody something

Collocations serve breakfast · serve coffee

• The waiter served us our meals.

  El mesero nos sirvió nuestras comidas.

to have a particular purpose or use

servir para, tener una función

• serve as/to

Collocations serve as an example · serve to illustrate

• The book serves as a guide for beginners.

  El libro sirve como guía para principiantes.

to work in the army, navy, or air force

servir en el ejército

• serve in

Collocations serve in the army · serve in the navy

• He served in the army for five years.

  Él sirvió en el ejército durante cinco años.

to work as a judge or lawyer, or to be on a jury in court

servir como juez o abogado, ser jurado

• serve as

Collocations serve as a judge · serve on a jury

• She served as a lawyer for ten years.

  Ella sirvió como abogada durante diez años.

to play in the position of serving, especially in tennis or volleyball

servir (en tenis o voleibol)

• serve to

Collocations serve an ace · serve the ball

• She served well in the match.

  Ella sirvió bien en el partido.

to work for a government or an organization, especially as part of your job

servir al gobierno o a una organización

• serve in

Collocations serve in government · serve as an official

• He served in the government for many years.

  Él sirvió en el gobierno durante muchos años.

to spend time in prison as a punishment

pasar tiempo en prisión

• serve time

Collocations serve five years · serve a sentence

• He served ten years in prison.

  Él pasó diez años en prisión.

to be on trial for a crime or offence

ser juzgado por un crimen o delito

• serve time

Collocations serve on trial · serve for a crime

• He is serving for murder.

  Él está siendo juzgado por asesinato.