servicio
/ser-BEE-syo/
service
The most common meaning of servicio is 'service' or 'assistance', especially in hospitality or customer relations.
servicio(Noun)
service
?customer service, public services
duty
?work or responsibility
,help
?assistance provided
📝 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.
⭐ Usage Tips
Public Utilities
In plural form, 'los servicios' can also refer to public utilities like water, electricity, and gas. For example, 'Tenemos que pagar los servicios este mes' (We have to pay the utilities this month).
A very common use of servicio (often plural: los servicios) is to refer to the 'restroom' or 'bathroom' in a public place.
servicio(Noun)
restroom
?in a public place like a restaurant or station
,bathroom
?general term
toilet
?the fixture itself or the room
,lavatory
?more formal, like on an airplane
📝 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.
💡 Grammar Points
Often Plural
When talking about the restroom, it's very common to use the plural form 'los servicios', even if you're just referring to one room. It's a bit like how English sometimes says 'the facilities'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Public vs. Private
While 'servicio' and 'baño' are often interchangeable, 'servicio(s)' is very common in public spaces (bars, stations, museums), while 'baño' is more common for the bathroom in someone's home.
Servicio can also mean a 'set' of matching items, such as a dinnerware set or a tea service.
servicio(Noun)
set
?a matching collection of items, like dishes or cutlery
service
?e.g., a tea 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.
Used in a more formal context, servicio can mean 'favor' or 'a helpful deed'.
📝 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.
✏️ 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
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.