Inklingo

How to Say "service" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “service” is “servicio” — use 'servicio' for general customer service, public utilities, or a set of items like dishes or cutlery..

servicio🔊A2

Use 'servicio' for general customer service, public utilities, or a set of items like dishes or cutlery.

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atenciónB1

Use 'atención' specifically when referring to the act of attending to a customer or providing care and attention.

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despacho🔊B1

Use 'despacho' when talking about the process of dispatching goods, shipments, or handling official business.

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revisiónB1

Use 'revisión' for the maintenance or inspection service of a vehicle, like a car check-up.

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plataforma🔊B1

Use 'plataforma' for digital services, such as streaming platforms, online learning systems, or software services.

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misa🔊A2

Use 'misa' exclusively for a Catholic or Christian religious service, commonly known as Mass.

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saque🔊A2

Use 'saque' only in sports contexts like tennis or volleyball to refer to the act of serving the ball.

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English → Spanish

servicio

/ser-BEE-syo//seɾˈbi.sjo/

nounA2general
Use 'servicio' for general customer service, public utilities, or a set of items like dishes or cutlery.
A smiling waiter in a clean uniform holding a silver tray with a single cup of coffee, offering it politely to a customer.

Examples

El servicio de transporte público es muy eficiente.

Public transportation service is very efficient.

El servicio al cliente en esa tienda es fantástico.

The customer service in that store is fantastic.

Los servicios de emergencia llegaron en cinco minutos.

The emergency services arrived in five minutes.

El hotel ofrece servicio de habitaciones las 24 horas.

The hotel offers 24-hour room service.

atención

nounB1general
Use 'atención' specifically when referring to the act of attending to a customer or providing care and attention.

Examples

La atención en este hotel superó mis expectativas.

The service/attention in this hotel exceeded my expectations.

despacho

des-PAH-choh/desˈpatʃo/

nounB1business/logistics
Use 'despacho' when talking about the process of dispatching goods, shipments, or handling official business.
An elegant, classical building facade featuring large columns, symbolizing a professional firm or business practice.

Examples

El despacho de aduanas tomó más tiempo del esperado.

The customs dispatch took longer than expected.

El despacho de la mercancía se retrasó por la aduana.

The dispatch (shipment) of the merchandise was delayed by customs.

Contratamos un despacho de arquitectura muy prestigioso.

We hired a very prestigious architecture firm.

Action Noun

In this sense, 'despacho' means the action of 'despachar' (to send or attend to), turning a verb action into a masculine noun.

revisión

nounB1automotive
Use 'revisión' for the maintenance or inspection service of a vehicle, like a car check-up.

Examples

Necesito llevar el coche a la revisión anual.

I need to take the car for its annual service/inspection.

plataforma

/pla-ta-FOR-ma//plataˈfoɾma/

nounB1technology/digital
Use 'plataforma' for digital services, such as streaming platforms, online learning systems, or software services.
A stylized, floating blue cloud shape connected by glowing lines to several small, simple icons representing different services like video and music, symbolizing a digital platform.

Examples

Esta plataforma ofrece cursos de idiomas en línea.

This platform offers online language services/courses.

Usamos una plataforma de videoconferencia para las clases en línea.

We use a video conferencing platform for online classes.

Netflix es la plataforma de streaming más popular del mundo.

Netflix is the most popular streaming platform in the world.

Nuestra tienda opera desde una plataforma de comercio electrónico.

Our store operates from an e-commerce platform.

Technology Context

This meaning is a direct borrowing from English, referring to the foundational software or service that allows other things to function.

misa

MEE-sah/ˈmi.sa/

nounA2religious
Use 'misa' exclusively for a Catholic or Christian religious service, commonly known as Mass.
A simple wooden altar covered with a white cloth. On the altar sits a golden chalice and a single lit candle, representing the religious service.

Examples

Asistimos a la misa del gallo en Nochebuena.

We attended the midnight Mass on Christmas Eve.

Todos los domingos vamos a misa a las diez.

Every Sunday we go to Mass at ten o'clock.

La misa de medianoche se llama 'Misa de Gallo' en muchos países.

The midnight Mass is called 'Rooster's Mass' in many countries.

El sacerdote ofició la misa en la pequeña capilla del pueblo.

The priest officiated the service in the town's small chapel.

Gender Alert

Even though it ends in 'a,' remember that 'misa' is a feminine noun, so you use 'la misa' or 'una misa'.

Using the wrong preposition

Mistake: “Vamos en misa.”

Correction: Vamos a misa. Use the preposition 'a' (to) when talking about attending the service.

saque

SAH-keh/ˈsa.ke/

nounA2sports
Use 'saque' only in sports contexts like tennis or volleyball to refer to the act of serving the ball.
A simplified storybook illustration of a tennis player mid-air, serving a tennis ball forcefully over the net.

Examples

El jugador profesional realizó un saque muy potente.

The professional player made a very powerful serve.

El tenista falló su primer saque y tuvo que intentarlo de nuevo.

The tennis player missed his first serve and had to try again.

Si ganas el punto, el próximo saque es tuyo.

If you win the point, the next serve is yours.

Masculine Noun

Even though it ends in '-e', 'saque' is always masculine, so you use 'el' or 'un' before it.

Confusing Noun and Verb

Mistake: “Using 'sacar' when you mean the noun: 'El sacar es difícil.'”

Correction: Use the noun 'saque': 'El saque es difícil.' (The serve is difficult.)

Distinguishing 'Servicio' from 'Atención'

Learners often confuse 'servicio' and 'atención' when referring to customer service. Remember that 'servicio' is the general term for the service itself or public utilities, while 'atención' focuses more on the act of providing care and personal attention to the customer.

Related Translations

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