服务

• Pinyin: fú wù
• Hanzi breakdown: 服 (fú) — to serve, to submit; 务 (wù) — affair, task, duty

Meaning

To serve; service. Refers to providing service to others or the quality of service received.

Used both as a verb (为…服务 = to serve...) and as a noun (服务很好 = the service is good). Extremely common in commercial, hospitality, and public service contexts. 服务员 (waiter/waitress) is a derived term heard daily.

Examples

1. 这家餐厅的服务很好。 The service at this restaurant is very good.
2. 我们要为客人提供好的服务。 We need to provide good service for the guests.
3. 他在酒店工作，负责客房服务。 He works at a hotel and is in charge of room service.

Usage Guide

Context: restaurants, hotels, customer service

Tone: professional

Do Say

• 这里的服务态度很好。(The service attitude here is very good.)
• 服务员，请给我菜单。(Waiter, please give me the menu.)

Don't Say

• 不要用'服务'表示宗教的礼拜活动 — 服务 means commercial or public service, not a religious service; for that use 礼拜 or 仪式.

Origin & History

Compound of 服 (to submit, to serve) and 务 (affair, task). Together they mean 'to attend to tasks for others' — service.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal