service
Definitions
The action of helping or doing work for someone; assistance provided
服务；帮助
A system or organization that provides a public need (transport, postal, etc.)
（公共）服务系统、机构
A routine maintenance check of a vehicle or machine
（车辆/机器的）保养、检修
A religious ceremony
宗教仪式、礼拜
To perform routine maintenance on a machine or vehicle
保养、维修（机器/车辆）
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedserv (serve) + -ice (noun ending) = the work of serving. From that single idea English fans out a huge web of senses: a waiter's service, the bus service, a car service, a church service. Each is 'work done for others,' just in a different setting.
Root serv still carries 62 more wordsCommon Collocations
- 1.customer service客户服务
- 2.public service公共服务
- 3.in service在使用中／服役中
- 4.out of service停止使用／停运
- 5.service charge服务费
Example Sentences
- 1.
The hotel is famous for its excellent customer service.
- 2.
Bus services were disrupted by the heavy snow.
- 3.
The car is due for its annual service next week.
- 4.
We took the engine in to be serviced.
Easily Confused
service vs serve — serve is the act (a waiter serves you), service is the system or quality of that act (good service). You don't 'do a serve to customers'; you 'provide a service.' Also note service as a verb means 'maintain a machine,' not 'wait on a person' — you service a car, but you serve a guest.