serve

“Serve” means “to give something to someone or to be useful.”

以下は英単語 “serve” に関するストーリー型学習コンテンツです。まずは大枠の意味を理解して最後の文章で確認しましょう。

主な意味（main meaning）
語源（etymology）
類義語（synonyms）
反義語（antonyms）
コロケーション（collocations）
2項表現（binomials）
英語ストーリー（english story）
和訳

主な意味（main meaning）

品詞	意味	発音記号	例文
動詞	（飲食物を）提供する、（人に）仕える	/sɜːrv/	The waiter served us drinks quickly.
動詞	（目的に）役立つ、（機能を）果たす	/sɜːrv/	This tool serves many purposes.
名詞	テニスなどのサーブ（球を打つ動作）	/sɜːrv/	Her serve was fast and powerful.

語源（etymology）

「serve」はラテン語 servire（仕える）に由来し、「人や目的のために働く」イメージが核になっています。

類義語（synonyms）

類義語	例文
provide	They provide meals for the homeless.
offer	She offered me a cup of tea.
deliver	The restaurant delivers food to your home.
assist	Nurses assist doctors during surgery.
function	This machine functions as a heater.

「serve」と「provide」はどちらも「提供する」という意味を持ちますが、使い方やニュアンスに違いがあります。

比較項目	serve	provide
基本の意味	飲食物やサービスを人に直接「出す・配る」	必要な物・情報・サービスなどを「与える・用意する」
よく使う対象	飲食物、サービス、役割、客	物、情報、支援、機会、サービス
使われる場面	ウェイター、店員、役割の遂行	公共サービス、公式説明、支援提供など

「serve」は目の前の人に料理や飲み物などを出す・渡すこと。

「provide」は必要なものを準備して与えること。直接渡さないこともある。

反義語（antonyms）

反義語	例文
ignore	He ignored the customer’s request.
neglect	They neglected to help the old man.

コロケーション（collocations）

コロケーション	例文
serve food	They serve food until 10 p.m.
serve drinks	The waiter served drinks politely.
serve a purpose	This project serves a good purpose.
serve time	He served time in prison.
serve customers	She serves customers with a smile.

2項表現（binomials）

2項表現	例文
serve and protect	Police officers serve and protect the community.
eat and serve	We eat and serve food together at the event.

英語ストーリー（english story）

Title: A Day at the Café

Emily works at a small café in town. Every morning, she arrives early to prepare the space before the customers come in. She serves coffee and tea, as well as fresh sandwiches. Her smile and kindness serve as a warm welcome to everyone.

One day, a new customer walked in and looked confused. Emily approached him and offered help. “Can I help you choose something?” she asked. The man smiled and said, “I’m looking for something sweet.”

Emily provided him with options, and he chose a slice of cake. While serving it, she said, “This one is our most popular!” He thanked her and sat by the window.

Later, her coworker Jason said, “You really served that customer well.” Emily replied, “It’s my job to serve and protect the café’s good name.”

The day went on, and Emily continued to serve customers, function as a cashier, and assist in the kitchen. Though tired, she knew her work served a purpose—making people feel comfortable.