servicio
“servicio” means “service” in Spanish. It has 4 different meanings depending on context:
service
Also: duty, help
📝 In Action
El servicio al cliente en esa tienda es fantástico.
A2The customer service in that store is fantastic.
Los servicios de emergencia llegaron en cinco minutos.
B1The emergency services arrived in five minutes.
El hotel ofrece servicio de habitaciones las 24 horas.
A2The hotel offers 24-hour room service.
restroom, bathroom
Also: toilet, lavatory
📝 In Action
Perdón, ¿dónde están los servicios?
A1Excuse me, where are the restrooms?
El servicio de damas está a la derecha.
A2The ladies' room is on the right.
set
Also: service
📝 In Action
Compramos un servicio de platos para doce personas.
B2We bought a dinnerware set for twelve people.
Heredé de mi abuela un antiguo servicio de té.
C1I inherited an antique tea service from my grandmother.
favor
Also: good turn
📝 In Action
Gracias por el servicio, te debo una.
B1Thanks for the favor, I owe you one.
Como médico, su vida está al servicio de los demás.
B2As a doctor, his life is in the service of others.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: servicio
Question 1 of 1
If you are in a café in Spain and ask the waiter, "¿Dónde está el servicio?", what are you looking for?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Latin word 'servitium', which meant 'slavery' or 'the condition of a servant'. This word itself came from 'servus', meaning 'slave' or 'servant'. Over time, the meaning softened from forced labor to the more general idea of providing help, assistance, or fulfilling a duty.
First recorded: Around the 11th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why do people say 'los servicios' (plural) when asking for the bathroom? Is there more than one?
That's a great question! It's a quirk of the language. Using the plural 'los servicios' is a very common and polite way to refer to the restroom facilities as a whole, even if it's just a single room. Think of it like the English word 'facilities' or 'restrooms'. You can also say 'el servicio' (singular), and people will understand you perfectly.
What's the difference between 'servicio' and 'baño' for 'bathroom'?
'Servicio' is most common for public restrooms (in restaurants, airports, museums). 'Baño' is used for both public restrooms and the bathroom in a private home. So, if you're at a friend's house, you'd ask for 'el baño'. In a restaurant, you can use either, but 'servicio' is very common.