to serve; to be useful
hablamos regular endingpienso stem changetengo irregularbusqué spelling change
Presente · What happens now or habitually
Este cuchillo no sirve para nada.
This knife is useless.
Pretérito · A completed action in the past
La mesera nos sirvió café con pan.
The waitress served us coffee and bread.
Imperfecto · Ongoing or habitual past; "used to"
Yo servía el almuerzo en el comedor de la escuela.
I used to serve lunch in the school cafeteria.
Futuro · What will happen
Serviremos la cena a las siete.
We'll serve dinner at seven.
Condicional · What would happen
Esta caja serviría para la mudanza.
This box would work for the move.
Pretérito perfecto · Has/have done
Mis tíos han servido en el ejército.
My uncles have served in the army.
Pluscuamperfecto · Had done
Mi mamá ya había servido la comida.
My mom had already served the food.
Futuro perfecto · Will have done
Para las ocho ya habremos servido el postre.
By eight we will have served dessert.
Condicional perfecto · Would have done
Ese dinero nos habría servido mucho.
That money would have been very useful to us.
Presente de subjuntivo · Wishes, doubts, emotions about the present or future
Quiero que sirvas el café, por favor.
I want you to serve the coffee, please.
Imperfecto de subjuntivo (-ra) · Hypotheticals and past wishes; the common form
Compré una cartera que sirviera para el viaje.
I bought a bag that would work for the trip.
Imperfecto de subjuntivo (-se) · Same meaning as -ra; more literary
Pidió que sirviesen el arroz caliente.
He asked them to serve the rice hot.
Pretérito perfecto de subjuntivo · Subjunctive for something that has happened
Espero que te haya servido mi consejo.
I hope my advice has been useful to you.
Pluscuamperfecto de subjuntivo · Contrary-to-fact past: "if I had..."
Si te hubiera servido, te lo habría regalado.
If it had worked for you, I would have given it to you.
Imperativo afirmativo · Commands: do it!
Sirve la sopa antes de que se enfríe.
Serve the soup before it gets cold.
Imperativo negativo · Commands: don't do it!
No sirvas tanto arroz, por favor.
Don't serve so much rice, please.