#153: Understanding verbs — servire
The verb, servire, when used impersonally, has the meaning:
- to need
- You can see the verb conjugated in the chart below – notice how it is conjugated like the verb, piacere:
- The pronoun used is the indirect object pronouns, the same ones used with the verb, piacere. Like piacere, the number of the verb is determined by the thing needed and not by the person or thing needing it:
Mi serve un pasto caldo.
I need a hot meal.Gli servono due nuovi biglietti.
They need two new tickets. - Servire, like piacere, can also be used directly with infinitives, without the need for a preposition to intercede. However, the verb, occorrere, is best used with infinitives in place of servire:
OK: Mi serve comprare una nuova macchina.
BETTER: Mi occorre comprare una nuova macchina.
Facebook
RSS
Twitter
Email