What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a literal translation of "Does it serve you?", using the verb servir (to serve).
Which one should you use?
While ¿Te sirve? focuses on whether something is useful or sufficient, ¿Te viene bien? is more commonly used specifically for checking the convenience of a time or a schedule.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Latin America, ¿Te sirve? can mean "does that work for you?" In Spain (Peninsular Spanish), you can also use ¿Te va bien? or ¿Te viene bien? to express this.
How does it change in a sentence?
When speaking to someone in a formal context or to someone you do not know well, use ¿Le sirve? instead of ¿Te sirve? If you are asking if a suggestion or arrangement works for a group of people, use ¿Les sirve?
When do people say it?
A common way to accept the offer or arrangement is to say Me sirve (It works for me). To decline the suggestion because it is not useful or suitable, you can say No me sirve (It doesn't work for me).
Did you know?
- The verb used in ¿Te sirve? shares an etymological root with the English word 'servant', both tracing back to the Latin 'servus', meaning 'slave' or 'servant'.
- While ¿Te sirve? asks if something is useful, the related word servicio refers to both a professional service and the physical 'restroom' in many Spanish-speaking countries.
- The verb servir can be used to describe a person who is 'useful' or 'capable', but saying no sirves para nada is a harsh way to tell someone they are completely useless.
Examples in context
- ¿Le parece bien si nos reunimos el jueves a las 10 a.m.?Does it work for you if we meet on Thursday at 10 a.m.?
- ¿Te parece bien si vemos una comedia esta noche?Does it work for you if we watch a comedy tonight?
- ¿Les parece bien si organizamos una cena la semana próxima?Does it work for you if we organize a dinner next week?
- ¿Te viene bien salir mañana por la tarde?Does it work for you if we leave tomorrow afternoon?
- Tengo este libro, ¿te sirve?I have this book, does it work for you?
- Si prefieres el lunes, ¿te sirve?If you prefer Monday, does that work for you?
Example conversation
Alejandro and Elena are deciding on a meeting time.
- AlejandroPodemos quedar a las cinco, ¿te sirve?We can meet at five, does that work for you?
- ElenaSí, Alejandro, me sirve perfectamente.Yes, Alejandro, that works perfectly for me.
- AlejandroGenial, nos vemos en el café.Great, see you at the café.
- ElenaDe acuerdo, allí estaré.Alright, I'll be there.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries te, CC BY-SA 4.0.
