服ふくする

suru verb (special), intransitive verb

obey; submit to; yield to; accept; abide by

Formal or literary verb for complying with a rule, order, authority, or abstract principle. Often used in written or official contexts.

• 国こく民みんは法ほう律りつに服ふくする義ぎ務むがある。

  Citizens have a duty to obey the law.

• 彼かれは上じょう司しの命めい令れいに服ふくすることを拒こばんだ。

  He refused to submit to his boss's orders.

suru verb (special), intransitive verb

serve (a sentence, in the army, etc.)

Used for serving a term or duty, especially in formal or institutional contexts such as prison sentences or military service.

• 彼かれは懲ちょう役えき十じゅう年ねんに服ふくした。

  He served a ten-year prison sentence.

• 若わか者ものは兵へい役えきに服ふくすることを求もとめられた。

  Young men were required to serve in the military.

suru verb (special), intransitive verb

go into mourning; observe mourning

Almost exclusively used in the set phrase 喪に服する (もにふくする). The alternate reading ぶくする is possible but rare.

See also: 喪に服する

• 家か族ぞくは喪もに服ふくしている。

  The family is in mourning.

suru verb (special), transitive verb

take (medicine, poison); drink (tea)

Formal or literary expression for ingesting something, especially medicine or poison. The alternate reading ぶくする is noted but is rare.

• 彼かれは毒どくを服ふくして自じ殺さつした。

  He took poison and killed himself.

• 食しょく後ごに薬くすりを服ふくするように言いわれた。

  I was told to take the medicine after meals.