servir

Senses

1. 1.

   to serve

   to work for someone or provide service

2. 2.

   to serve (food or drink)

   to present or distribute food/beverages to others

3. 3.

   to be useful; to serve the purpose

   to function, work, or be of use

4. 4.

   to serve (in sports)

   to hit the ball to begin play in tennis, volleyball, etc.

Examples

• "Ele serviu no exército por cinco anos."

  He served in the army for five years.

• "Vou servir o almoço em alguns minutos."

  I'm going to serve lunch in a few minutes.

• "De que serve reclamar se ninguém vai ouvir?"

  What's the use of complaining if nobody will listen?

Usage

Common verb with multiple registers (formal and informal). Often used reflexively: "servir-se de" (to make use of) or "servir-se a si mesmo" (to serve oneself). Avoid confusing with Spanish "servirse," which frequently means "to help oneself"; in Brazilian Portuguese it's less common but still exists.