sirviente
/seer-BYEHN-teh/
servant
A person employed in a house as a servant.
sirviente(noun)
servant
?a person employed in a house
domestic worker
?more formal or modern context
,attendant
?historical or royal service
📝 In Action
El sirviente de la mansión era muy leal a la familia.
B1The mansion's servant was very loyal to the family.
En la obra de teatro, el sirviente siempre sabe los secretos de todos.
B2In the play, the servant always knows everyone's secrets.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender of the word
This specific word 'sirviente' refers to a male servant. For a female servant, Spanish speakers almost always use the word 'sirvienta'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Don't confuse with 'servidor'
Mistake: "Using 'servidor' to mean a house servant."
Correction: Use 'sirviente' for a human employee in a house; 'servidor' is usually for a computer server or a public servant (government worker).
⭐ Usage Tips
Modern Politeness
In many modern Spanish-speaking countries, calling someone a 'sirviente' can sound a bit old-fashioned or even rude. People often use 'empleado doméstico' or 'asistente' instead.
A person in a position of service.
sirviente(adjective)
serving
?describing a person or group in a position of service
subservient
?describing a role or class
📝 In Action
La clase sirviente tenía poco poder político en esa época.
C1The serving class had little political power at that time.
💡 Grammar Points
Adjective Position
When used to describe a noun, 'sirviente' usually comes after the noun, like in 'el grupo sirviente'.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: sirviente
Question 1 of 2
Which of these is the most common feminine version of 'sirviente'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'sirviente' and 'criado'?
They are very similar. 'Sirviente' is a bit more formal, while 'criado' comes from 'criar' (to raise), implying someone who was raised in the house they serve. Both sound a bit dated today.
Is 'sirviente' used for waiters?
No. For a waiter in a restaurant, you should use 'camarero', 'mesero', or 'mozo' depending on the country.