servicios
/ser-BEE-see-os/
services
Servicios (services) refers to professional or economic help provided by others.
servicios(noun)
services
?economic or professional help
utilities
?public systems like water or electricity
📝 In Action
Necesito cancelar los servicios de internet este mes.
A1I need to cancel the internet services this month.
Nuestra empresa ofrece servicios de consultoría legal.
A2Our company offers legal consulting services.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Plural
Even though English often uses 'service' (singular) to mean a system, in Spanish, when talking about professional or public systems, it is almost always used in the plural form: 'los servicios.'
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using the Singular
Mistake: "El servicio está caro."
Correction: Los servicios están caros. (The utilities/services are expensive.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Professional Use
When talking about specific jobs or professional work, use 'servicios' to sound more formal and comprehensive, like 'servicios de limpieza' (cleaning services).
When used in public contexts, servicios can refer to the restroom or public toilet.
servicios(noun)
restroom
?public toilet
,bathroom
?toilet facilities
WC
?water closet (formal/signage)
📝 In Action
¿Dónde están los servicios, por favor?
A1Where are the restrooms, please?
El restaurante tiene servicios muy limpios.
A1The restaurant has very clean bathrooms.
💡 Grammar Points
Polite Euphemism
Using 'servicios' is a very polite and common way to ask for the toilet, avoiding the more direct or informal 'baño' (though 'baño' is also perfectly acceptable).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Singular/Plural
Mistake: "Voy al servicio."
Correction: Voy a los servicios. (Even if there is only one room, the plural form is usually used for the facilities.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Checking Signs
In many public places, the sign will simply say 'Servicios' or use the universal 'WC' symbol.
Servicios also describes duty or a term of employment, often referring to a job performed for others.
servicios(noun)
service
?duty or term of employment
military service
?time spent in the armed forces
📝 In Action
Completó sus servicios en el ejército el año pasado.
B2He completed his service in the army last year.
La reina agradeció a los soldados por sus servicios a la nación.
C1The queen thanked the soldiers for their services to the nation.
💡 Grammar Points
Formal Context
When used in this sense, 'servicios' often implies a formal commitment or duty to a government, institution, or cause.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: servicios
Question 1 of 2
Which English translation is NOT appropriate for 'servicios' in the sentence: 'Los servicios de agua y electricidad fallaron.'
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is 'servicios' (plural) used to mean 'restroom' (singular)?
This is common in Spanish. When referring to a facility or a room dedicated to a function (like a restroom or toilet), the plural form is often used to describe the collection of amenities found there (like the toilet, sink, mirror, etc.), making it sound more formal and polite.
Does 'servicios' always mean 'utilities'?
No. While it often means utilities (water, gas, electricity), it can also mean professional help (consulting, repair services) or, very commonly, the public restroom.