sírvete
/siɾbete/from spelling rules
The English phrase "help yourself" is translated into Spanish as sírvete.
This phrase is used as an invitation for someone to take some food or drink for themselves.
What does it mean word for word?
The word sírvete is a combination of the imperative verb servir (to serve) and the reflexive pronoun te (yourself).
Which one should you use?
Sírvete is the informal command used with friends, family or people you know well. In contrast, sírvase is the polite version.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, the informal phrase Servite, no más. is used when inviting someone to serve themselves.
How does it change in a sentence?
When addressing one person formally (using "usted"), such as a guest or an elder, you should use sírvase instead of sírvete. When addressing a group of people, use sírvanse to tell them to help themselves.
How do you pronounce it?
/siɾbete/
Did you know?
- While sírvete is the standard, in many parts of Latin America, you might hear people say agarra con confianza literally meaning 'take it with confidence'.
- The verb servir does not only mean 'to serve' food, but also 'to be useful' or 'to work'. A broken tool is often described as no sirve.
- In Spain, if you want to tell a group to help themselves to a snack, you would say servíos instead of the Latin American sírvanse.
Examples in context
- Sírvete un trozo de pastel.Help yourself to a piece of cake.This sentence shows how to use sírvete to offer a piece of cake.Tatoeba #3773337 by Seael, translation #2642210 by CK
- Sírvete tú mismo lo que quieras comer.Help yourself to anything you'd like to eat.This sentence uses sírvete to invite someone to eat whatever they want.Tatoeba #5854164 by arh, translation #24979 by CK
- Sírvete tú mismo.Help yourself.This sentence uses sírvete as a simple command to help oneself.Tatoeba #1431011 by peibolvig, translation #54454 by CK
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Sofía are at a dinner party.
- DanielLa cena está lista.Dinner is ready.
- SofíaMuchas gracias, Daniel.Thank you very much, Daniel.
- DanielSírvete lo que quieras de la mesa.Help yourself to whatever you want from the table.
- SofíaVoy a probar un poco de todo.I am going to try a little bit of everything.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry sírvete, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
