noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', intransitive verb
serving time in prison; penal servitude
Refers to serving a prison sentence, often used in legal or news contexts. The verb form is 服役する.
彼は強盗の罪で服役している。
He is serving time for robbery.
服役期間は5年だった。
The prison term was five years.
noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', intransitive verb
Used for serving in the military, especially in contexts like conscription or active duty. Less common than the prison sense in modern Japanese.
彼は軍隊で服役した経験がある。
He has experience serving in the military.
noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', intransitive verb
forced labor; compulsory service
Refers to being compelled to work or serve, often under harsh conditions. This sense is relatively rare and may appear in historical or legal contexts.
戦時中、多くの人が強制的に服役させられた。
During the war, many people were forced into compulsory service.