serveur
/sɛʁ.vœʁ/
The English phrase "server" is translated into French as serveur.
In a computing context, serveur refers to a computer dedicated to running server programs. In a restaurant context, it refers to a waiter.
Meaning: computing: a computer dedicated to running server programs (noun)
Which one should you use?
The term serveur is used for both a computing server and a waiter. However, when referring to a person in a restaurant, it is important to distinguish gender: serveur is used for a man, while serveuse is used for a woman.
How does it change in a sentence?
While serveur is the standard term for a computing server regardless of gender, you must use the feminine form serveuse if you are referring to a female server in a restaurant.
How do you pronounce it?
/sɛʁ.vœʁ/. It has 2 syllables.
Did you know?
- While serveur is the standard term, French technical jargon sometimes uses the English word 'server' in highly specialized corporate environments, though it is technically an anglicism.
- The word serveur is derived from the verb servir, which means both 'to serve' a customer and 'to be useful' or 'to function'.
- The suffix '-eur' in serveur functions much like the English suffix '-er' in 'worker'. This is because both descend from the Latin suffix '-tor', which is used to transform verbs into nouns describing people.
Examples in context
- Voici le serveur !Here comes the server.This sentence uses the form serveur to introduce a server.Tatoeba #1852608 by sacredceltic, translation #1850974 by Dottyeyes
- Le serveur est en panne.The server is down.This sentence uses the form serveur to state that a server is down.Tatoeba #3428773 by Aiji, translation #3402624 by CK
- Le serveur était déprimé.The server was down.This sentence uses the form serveur to describe a server that was down.Tatoeba #1314962 by sacredceltic, translation #54205 by CK
- Excusez-moi, monsieur. Pourrais-je parler au serveur, s'il vous plaît?Excuse me, sir. Could I speak to the server, please?
- Je voudrais appeler le garçon de salle pour commander, s'il vous plaît.I would like to call the server to order, please.
- Le maître d'hôtel va vous accompagner à votre table.The head waiter will show you to your table.
- 21 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two colleagues are talking about a website outage in an office.
- EmmaLe serveur est hors ligne.The server is offline.
- NathanEst-ce que tu as vérifié le serveur ?Did you check the server?
- EmmaOui, le serveur a un problème.Yes, the server has a problem.
- NathanJe vais redémarrer le serveur.I am going to restart the server.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry serveur, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries serveur, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
