Understanding Spanish verb conjugations is crucial for fluency, and today we’re diving deep into one of the most essential verbs: servir. Meaning “to serve,” servir is an irregular verb frequently used in everyday conversation. This comprehensive guide will break down servir conjugation across all major Spanish tenses, providing you with clear tables, examples, and helpful insights to master its usage. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, this article will enhance your understanding of servir and improve your overall Spanish grammar skills.
Understanding the Basics of Servir
Before we delve into the conjugation tables, let’s quickly recap the fundamentals of servir.
| Item | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|
| Infinitive | servir | to serve |
| Past Participle | servido | served |
| Gerund | sirviendo | serving |
Servir is an irregular verb, meaning its conjugation patterns deviate from the standard rules for -ir verbs in Spanish. This guide will highlight these irregularities to ensure you learn accurately. Similar verbs that share a conceptual link with servir include atender (to attend to, to take care of) and despachar (to dispatch, to serve a customer).
Indicative Mood Conjugations of Servir
The indicative mood is used for factual statements and objective realities. Let’s explore servir conjugation in the indicative tenses.
Servir in the Indicative Present Tense (Presente)
The Present Indicative, or Presente, is used for actions happening now, habitual actions, and general truths. For example, “Yo sirvo café” translates to “I serve coffee.” Notice the stem change from ‘e’ to ‘i’ in the singular and third-person plural forms, a key irregularity of servir.
| Pronoun | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|
| Yo | sirvo | I serve |
| Tú | sirves | You serve (informal) |
| Ella / Él / Usted | sirve | She/He/You serve (formal) |
| Nosotras / Nosotros | servimos | We serve |
| Vosotras / Vosotros | servís | You serve (plural, informal, Spain) |
| Ellas / Ellos / Ustedes | sirven | They/You serve (plural, formal) |
Servir in the Indicative Preterite Tense (Pretérito Indefinido)
The Preterite Indicative, or Pretérito Indefinido, is used for completed actions in the past, actions with a definite beginning and end. For example, “Ayer serví la cena” means “Yesterday I served dinner.”
| Pronoun | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|
| Yo | serví | I served |
| Tú | serviste | You served (informal) |
| Ella / Él / Usted | sirvió | She/He/You served (formal) |
| Nosotras / Nosotros | servimos | We served |
| Vosotras / Vosotros | servisteis | You served (plural, informal, Spain) |
| Ellas / Ellos / Ustedes | sirvieron | They/You served (plural, formal) |
Servir in the Indicative Imperfect Tense (Pretérito Imperfecto)
The Imperfect Indicative, or Pretérito Imperfecto, describes ongoing or habitual actions in the past, often translated as “used to serve” or “was serving.” For example, “De niño, servía el desayuno a mi familia” means “As a child, I used to serve breakfast to my family.”
| Pronoun | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|
| Yo | servía | I used to serve/was serving |
| Tú | servías | You used to serve/were serving (informal) |
| Ella / Él / Usted | servía | She/He/You used to serve/was serving (formal) |
| Nosotras / Nosotros | servíamos | We used to serve/were serving |
| Vosotras / Vosotros | servíais | You used to serve/were serving (plural, informal, Spain) |
| Ellas / Ellos / Ustedes | servían | They/You used to serve/were serving (plural, formal) |
Servir in the Indicative Present Continuous Tense (Presente Progresivo)
The Present Continuous, or Presente Progresivo, describes actions happening right now, in progress. It’s formed with estar (to be) + gerund (sirviendo). For example, “Estoy sirviendo a los clientes ahora mismo” means “I am serving the customers right now.”
| Pronoun | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|
| Yo | estoy sirviendo | I am serving |
| Tú | estás sirviendo | You are serving (informal) |
| Ella / Él / Usted | está sirviendo | She/He/You are serving (formal) |
| Nosotras / Nosotros | estamos sirviendo | We are serving |
| Vosotras / Vosotros | estáis sirviendo | You are serving (plural, informal, Spain) |
| Ellas / Ellos / Ustedes | están sirviendo | They/You are serving (plural, formal) |
Servir in the Indicative Informal Future Tense (Futuro Próximo)
The Informal Future, or Futuro Próximo, expresses immediate future actions, using the structure ir a (to go to) + infinitive (servir). For example, “Voy a servir el postre en un momento” means “I am going to serve dessert in a moment.”
| Pronoun | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|
| Yo | voy a servir | I am going to serve |
| Tú | vas a servir | You are going to serve (informal) |
| Ella / Él / Usted | va a servir | She/He/You are going to serve (formal) |
| Nosotras / Nosotros | vamos a servir | We are going to serve |
| Vosotras / Vosotros | vais a servir | You are going to serve (plural, informal, Spain) |
| Ellas / Ellos / Ustedes | van a servir | They/You are going to serve (plural, formal) |
Servir in the Indicative Future Tense (Futuro Simple)
The Future Indicative, or Futuro Simple, is used for actions that will happen in the future. For example, “Serviré en el ejército el próximo año” means “I will serve in the army next year.”
| Pronoun | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|
| Yo | serviré | I will serve |
| Tú | servirás | You will serve (informal) |
| Ella / Él / Usted | servirá | She/He/You will serve (formal) |
| Nosotras / Nosotros | serviremos | We will serve |
| Vosotras / Vosotros | serviréis | You will serve (plural, informal, Spain) |
| Ellas / Ellos / Ustedes | servirán | They/You will serve (plural, formal) |
Servir in the Indicative Conditional Tense (Condicional Simple)
The Conditional Indicative, or Condicional Simple, expresses hypothetical actions, what “would” happen under certain conditions. For example, “Serviría más vino si tuviera” means “I would serve more wine if I had any.”
| Pronoun | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|
| Yo | serviría | I would serve |
| Tú | servirías | You would serve (informal) |
| Ella / Él / Usted | serviría | She/He/You would serve (formal) |
| Nosotras / Nosotros | serviríamos | We would serve |
| Vosotras / Vosotros | serviríais | You would serve (plural, informal, Spain) |
| Ellas / Ellos / Ustedes | servirían | They/You would serve (plural, formal) |
Servir in the Indicative Present Perfect Tense (Pretérito Perfecto)
The Present Perfect Indicative, or Pretérito Perfecto, describes actions completed recently or actions relevant to the present. It uses haber (to have) + past participle (servido). For example, “He servido a mis clientes con orgullo” means “I have served my customers with pride.”
| Pronoun | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|
| Yo | he servido | I have served |
| Tú | has servido | You have served (informal) |
| Ella / Él / Usted | ha servido | She/He/You have served (formal) |
| Nosotras / Nosotros | hemos servido | We have served |
| Vosotras / Vosotros | habéis servido | You have served (plural, informal, Spain) |
| Ellas / Ellos / Ustedes | han servido | They/You have served (plural, formal) |
Servir in the Indicative Past Perfect Tense (Pretérito Pluscuamperfecto)
The Past Perfect Indicative, or Pretérito Pluscuamperfecto, describes actions completed before another past action. It uses haber (to have – imperfect form) + past participle (servido). For example, “Cuando llegué, ya habían servido la cena” means “When I arrived, they had already served dinner.”
| Pronoun | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|
| Yo | había servido | I had served |
| Tú | habías servido | You had served (informal) |
| Ella / Él / Usted | había servido | She/He/You had served (formal) |
| Nosotras / Nosotros | habíamos servido | We had served |
| Vosotras / Vosotros | habíais servido | You had served (plural, informal, Spain) |
| Ellas / Ellos / Ustedes | habían servido | They/You had served (plural, formal) |
Servir in the Indicative Future Perfect Tense (Futuro Perfecto)
The Future Perfect Indicative, or Futuro Perfecto, describes actions that will be completed by a certain point in the future. It uses haber (to have – future form) + past participle (servido). For example, “Para mañana, habré servido a cientos de clientes” means “By tomorrow, I will have served hundreds of customers.”
| Pronoun | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|
| Yo | habré servido | I will have served |
| Tú | habrás servido | You will have served (informal) |
| Ella / Él / Usted | habrá servido | She/He/You will have served (formal) |
| Nosotras / Nosotros | habremos servido | We will have served |
| Vosotras / Vosotros | habréis servido | You will have served (plural, informal, Spain) |
| Ellas / Ellos / Ustedes | habrán servido | They/You will have served (plural, formal) |
Servir in the Indicative Conditional Perfect Tense (Condicional Perfecto)
The Conditional Perfect Indicative, or Condicional Perfecto, describes hypothetical past actions, what “would have” happened. It uses haber (to have – conditional form) + past participle (servido). For example, “Habría servido mejor si hubiera tenido más tiempo” means “I would have served better if I had had more time.”
| Pronoun | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|
| Yo | habría servido | I would have served |
| Tú | habrías servido | You would have served (informal) |
| Ella / Él / Usted | habría servido | She/He/You would have served (formal) |
| Nosotras / Nosotros | habríamos servido | We would have served |
| Vosotras / Vosotros | habríais servido | You would have served (plural, informal, Spain) |
| Ellas / Ellos / Ustedes | habrían servido | They/You would have served (plural, formal) |
Subjunctive Mood Conjugations of Servir
The subjunctive mood is used for hypothetical situations, desires, doubts, and emotions. Let’s see servir conjugation in the subjunctive tenses.
Servir in the Subjunctive Present Tense (Presente de Subjuntivo)
The Present Subjunctive, or Presente de Subjuntivo, expresses wishes, doubts, or commands in the present. For example, “Es importante que sirva con una sonrisa” means “It’s important that he/she serves with a smile.” Again, note the stem change ‘e’ to ‘i’.
| Pronoun | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|
| Yo | sirva | I serve (subjunctive) |
| Tú | sirvas | You serve (subjunctive, informal) |
| Ella / Él / Usted | sirva | She/He/You serve (subjunctive, formal) |
| Nosotras / Nosotros | sirvamos | We serve (subjunctive) |
| Vosotras / Vosotros | sirváis | You serve (subjunctive, plural, informal, Spain) |
| Ellas / Ellos / Ustedes | sirvan | They/You serve (subjunctive, plural, formal) |
Servir in the Subjunctive Imperfect Tense (Imperfecto de Subjuntivo)
The Imperfect Subjunctive, or Imperfecto de Subjuntivo, expresses hypothetical or past subjunctive actions. There are two forms; both are equally used. We’ll show the “-ra” form. For example, “Quería que me sirviera rápido” means “I wanted him/her to serve me quickly.”
| Pronoun | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|
| Yo | sirviera | I served (subjunctive) |
| Tú | sirvieras | You served (subjunctive, informal) |
| Ella / Él / Usted | sirviera | She/He/You served (subjunctive, formal) |
| Nosotras / Nosotros | sirviéramos | We served (subjunctive) |
| Vosotras / Vosotros | sirvierais | You served (subjunctive, plural, informal, Spain) |
| Ellas / Ellos / Ustedes | sirvieran | They/You serve (subjunctive, plural, formal) |
Servir in the Subjunctive Future Tense (Futuro de Subjuntivo)
The Future Subjunctive, or Futuro de Subjuntivo, is rarely used in modern Spanish, mostly found in legal or formal contexts. It refers to future hypothetical situations. For example, “Si sirviere a la patria, sería un honor” (formal/literary) which translates to “If I were to serve the country, it would be an honor.”
| Pronoun | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|
| Yo | sirviere | I will serve (subjunctive) |
| Tú | sirvieres | You will serve (subjunctive, informal) |
| Ella / Él / Usted | sirviere | She/He/You will serve (subjunctive, formal) |
| Nosotras / Nosotros | sirviéremos | We will serve (subjunctive) |
| Vosotras / Vosotros | sirviereis | You will serve (subjunctive, plural, informal, Spain) |
| Ellas / Ellos / Ustedes | sirvieren | They/You will serve (subjunctive, plural, formal) |
Servir in the Subjunctive Present Perfect Tense (Pretérito Perfecto de Subjuntivo)
The Present Perfect Subjunctive, or Pretérito Perfecto de Subjuntivo, describes past actions that are subjunctive and have relevance to the present. It uses haber (to have – subjunctive present form) + past participle (servido). For example, “Dudo que haya servido la mesa correctamente” means “I doubt that he/she has set the table correctly.”
| Pronoun | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|
| Yo | haya servido | I have served (subjunctive) |
| Tú | hayas servido | You have served (subjunctive, informal) |
| Ella / Él / Usted | haya servido | She/He/You have served (subjunctive, formal) |
| Nosotras / Nosotros | hayamos servido | We have served (subjunctive) |
| Vosotras / Vosotros | hayáis servido | You have served (subjunctive, plural, informal, Spain) |
| Ellas / Ellos / Ustedes | hayan servido | They/You have served (subjunctive, plural, formal) |
Servir in the Subjunctive Past Perfect Tense (Pretérito Pluscuamperfecto de Subjuntivo)
The Past Perfect Subjunctive, or Pretérito Pluscuamperfecto de Subjuntivo, describes actions in the past, prior to another past action, in a subjunctive context. It uses haber (to have – subjunctive imperfect form) + past participle (servido). For example, “Si hubiera servido antes, no tendríamos este problema” means “If I had served earlier, we wouldn’t have this problem.”
| Pronoun | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|
| Yo | hubiera servido | I had served (subjunctive) |
| Tú | hubieras servido | You had served (subjunctive, informal) |
| Ella / Él / Usted | hubiera servido | She/He/You had served (subjunctive, formal) |
| Nosotras / Nosotros | hubiéramos servido | We had served (subjunctive) |
| Vosotras / Vosotros | hubierais servido | You had served (subjunctive, plural, informal, Spain) |
| Ellas / Ellos / Ustedes | hubieran servido | They/You had served (subjunctive, plural, formal) |
Servir in the Subjunctive Future Perfect Tense (Futuro Perfecto de Subjuntivo)
The Future Perfect Subjunctive, or Futuro Perfecto de Subjuntivo, is extremely rare, even more so than the Future Subjunctive. It refers to actions that will be completed in the future within a hypothetical subjunctive context.
| Pronoun | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|
| Yo | hubiere servido | I will have served (subjunctive) |
| Tú | hubieres servido | You will have served (subjunctive, informal) |
| Ella / Él / Usted | hubiere servido | She/He/You will have served (subjunctive, formal) |
| Nosotras / Nosotros | hubiéremos servido | We will have served (subjunctive) |
| Vosotras / Vosotros | hubiereis servido | You will have served (subjunctive, plural, informal, Spain) |
| Ellas / Ellos / Ustedes | hubieren servido | They/You will have served (subjunctive, plural, formal) |
Imperative Mood Conjugations of Servir
The imperative mood is used to give commands or instructions. Let’s examine servir conjugation in the imperative.
Servir in the Imperative Affirmative Tense (Imperativo Afirmativo)
The Affirmative Imperative, or Imperativo Afirmativo, is used to tell someone to do something. Note that the tú and vosotros forms are irregular.
| Pronoun | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|
| Tú | sirve | Serve! (informal) |
| Ella / Él / Usted | sirva | Serve! (formal) |
| Nosotras / Nosotros | sirvamos | Let’s serve! |
| Vosotras / Vosotros | servid | Serve! (plural, informal, Spain) |
| Ellas / Ellos / Ustedes | sirvan | Serve! (plural, formal) |
Servir in the Imperative Negative Tense (Imperativo Negativo)
The Negative Imperative, or Imperativo Negativo, is used to tell someone not to do something. It uses the subjunctive present forms.
| Pronoun | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|
| Tú | no sirvas | Don’t serve! (informal) |
| Ella / Él / Usted | no sirva | Don’t serve! (formal) |
| Nosotras / Nosotros | no sirvamos | Let’s not serve! |
| Vosotras / Vosotros | no sirváis | Don’t serve! (plural, informal, Spain) |
| Ellas / Ellos / Ustedes | no sirvan | Don’t serve! (plural, formal) |
Example Sentences and Usage of Servir
To solidify your understanding of servir conjugation, let’s look at some example sentences showcasing different tenses and moods:
- No servirá de nada seguir pensando. (It’s useless to keep on thinking any more.) – Future Indicative
- Llorar no sirve de nada. (Crying is of no avail.) – Present Indicative
- La cena se servirá a bordo del avión. (Dinner will be served on board the plane.) – Future Indicative (passive voice)
- Espero que te sirvan bien en ese restaurante. (I hope they serve you well in that restaurant.) – Present Subjunctive
- Si me sirvieran más rápido, estaría más contento. (If they served me faster, I would be happier.) – Imperfect Subjunctive
Downloadable Servir Conjugation Cheat Sheet
For your convenience, you can download a printable cheat sheet of servir conjugation tables in both image and PDF formats. This handy resource will allow you to quickly reference conjugations anytime, anywhere.
Download Servir Cheat Sheet PDF
Download Servir Conjugation Image
Understanding servir conjugation is a significant step towards mastering Spanish verbs. By studying these tables and practicing usage, you’ll confidently incorporate servir into your Spanish conversations and writing. Keep practicing, and you’ll soon find yourself fluently using servir in all its forms!
