Translation guide
The English verb "serve" covers many distinct actions. This guide breaks them down into practical meanings, from serving food and working in a role, to helping others and meeting needs. Each section gives natural Japanese expressions for that specific use.
To give food or drink to someone, especially at a meal or in a restaurant.
General verb for serving or bringing out food/drink. Used in homes and casual settings.
お客さんにお茶を出してください。
Please serve tea to the guests.
It's time to serve dinner.
More formal, often used for services, meals in institutions, or business contexts.
This restaurant serves Japanese food.
Specifically means to arrange food on a plate or dish; 'to plate' or 'to serve up'.
Please serve the food nicely on the plate.
To hold a position and perform duties, such as serving as a president, member, or in a specific capacity.
To serve in a role or position, often with a sense of duty. Used for jobs, official posts.
He serves as the chairperson.
To be employed at a company or organization. Focuses on employment rather than a specific role.
To serve selflessly, often for a cause, community, or God. Has a strong connotation of devotion.
He served God all his life.
To be used for a particular purpose or to fulfill a function.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to be useful' or 'to serve a purpose'. Often used with に.
This tool serves many purposes.
To function as; more mechanical or systematic. 'Serve as' in a functional sense.
This room serves as a meeting room.
Passive pattern meaning 'is used as'. A straightforward way to say something serves as something else.
This box serves as a table.
To provide assistance or service to a person, customer, or group.
To serve customers; used in retail, restaurants, etc. Focuses on customer service.
She is good at serving customers.
To serve a master, lord, or someone of higher status. Historical or feudal nuance, but also used for devoted service.
To help or assist. A common, casual way to say you serve someone by helping them.
To spend a period of time in prison as a punishment.
To hit the ball to start play in tennis or similar sports.
To satisfy a requirement or be adequate for a need.
務める (つとめる) is for serving in a specific role or position (e.g., chairperson, committee member). 勤める (つとめる) is for being employed at a company. 奉仕する (ほうしする) implies selfless, often spiritual or community service.
While 出す (だす) is common, directly translating 'serve food' as 食事をサーブする sounds unnatural. Use 出す or 提供する depending on formality.
She served on the committee.
彼は銀行に勤めています。
He works at a bank. (He serves at a bank.)
His experience served him well.
彼は王に仕えた。
He served the king.
何かお手伝いしましょうか？
May I serve you in some way? (May I help you?)
This tool will serve the purpose.