How do you use "serve a sentence" in a sentence?

He is serving a ten-year sentence for robbery. She served her sentence and was released last month. The judge ordered him to serve a sentence of five years.

serve a sentence

Q: What does "serve a sentence" mean?

To spend time in prison as punishment for a crime We say 'serve a sentence' not 'do a sentence' or 'complete a sentence' (though 'complete' can be used for finishing one). 'Serve' is the standard verb for the period of imprisonment.

Collocation BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★★★ Very Common Neutral

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Significado: To spend time in prison as punishment for a crime

服刑

cumplir una condena

刑期を務める

형을 살다

We say 'serve a sentence' not 'do a sentence' or 'complete a sentence' (though 'complete' can be used for finishing one). 'Serve' is the standard verb for the period of imprisonment.

我们说'serve a sentence'而不是'do a sentence'或'complete a sentence'（虽然'complete'可以用于表示完成刑期）。'Serve'是表示监禁时期的标准动词。

Decimos 'serve a sentence' y no 'do a sentence' ni 'complete a sentence' (aunque 'complete' puede usarse para terminar una condena). 'Serve' es el verbo estándar para el período de encarcelamiento.

「serve a sentence」と言い、「do a sentence」や「complete a sentence」（ただし'complete'は刑期を終えることに使えます）とは言いません。「serve」は服役期間を表す標準的な動詞です。

'serve a sentence'라고 하며 'do a sentence'나 'complete a sentence'(형기를 마치는 경우에는 사용 가능)라고 하지 않습니다. 'serve'는 수감 기간을 나타내는 표준 동사입니다.

Ejemplos

He is serving a ten-year sentence for robbery.
他因抢劫正在服十年刑。
Está cumpliendo una condena de diez años por robo.
彼は強盗罪で10年の刑期を務めています。
그는 강도죄로 10년 형을 살고 있습니다.
She served her sentence and was released last month.
她服完刑后上个月被释放了。
Cumplió su condena y fue puesta en libertad el mes pasado.
彼女は刑期を務め終えて先月釈放されました。
그녀는 형기를 마치고 지난달 석방되었습니다.
The judge ordered him to serve a sentence of five years.
法官命令他服五年刑。
El juez le ordenó cumplir una condena de cinco años.
裁判官は彼に5年の刑期を務めるよう命じました。
판사는 그에게 5년 형을 선고했습니다.

Pronunciación

Guía de uso

Contexto: law, crime, prison

Tono: serious

✓ Correcto

He is serving a long sentence.
他正在服长期刑。
Está cumpliendo una condena larga.
彼は長い刑期を務めています。
그는 긴 형을 살고 있습니다.
She served her sentence in full.
她完全服满了刑期。
Cumplió su condena íntegramente.
彼女は刑期を全うしました。
그녀는 형기를 전부 채웠습니다.

✗ Incorrecto

He is doing a long sentence. (use 'serve' not 'do' for prison sentences)
他在doing一个long sentence。（监禁用'serve'而不是'do'）
Está haciendo (doing) una condena larga. (se usa 'serve' y no 'do' para condenas de prisión)
彼は長い刑期をdoしています。（刑務所の刑期には'do'ではなく'serve'を使います）
그는 긴 형기를 do하고 있습니다. (형기에는 'do'가 아니라 'serve'를 사용합니다)
He is making a long sentence. (use 'serve' not 'make' for prison sentences)
他在making一个long sentence。（监禁用'serve'而不是'make'）
Está haciendo (making) una condena larga. (se usa 'serve' y no 'make' para condenas de prisión)
彼は長い刑期をmakeしています。（刑務所の刑期には'make'ではなく'serve'を使います）
그는 긴 형기를 make하고 있습니다. (형기에는 'make'가 아니라 'serve'를 사용합니다)

Origen e historia

Natural English collocation — 'serve' is the standard verb for undergoing a prison sentence.

Contexto cultural

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

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