to serve / operate
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to serve
To provide services to a customer or guest in a shop, restaurant, or hotel, such as serving food or helping with a purchase.
Der Kellner fragte, ob wir schon bedient werden.
The waiter asked whether we were already being served.
'Bedienen' is an inseparable verb with the prefix 'be-'. This prefix makes the verb transitive, which means it always requires a direct object in the accusative.
Wer bedient heute diesen Tisch?
Who is serving this table today?
The verb 'bedienen' is closely related to the word 'der Dienst' (service) and 'dienen' (to serve). So the basic idea is always to provide a service to someone or something.
Guter Service bedeutet, die Kunden freundlich zu bedienen.
Good service means serving customers in a friendly way.
The meanings can often be recognized by the reflexive pronoun 'sich'. Without 'sich', 'bedienen' usually means to attend to a customer or operate a device. With 'sich', it means that you take something yourself or use a means.
Der Verkäufer bedient gerade einen anderen Kunden.
The salesperson is serving another customer right now.
When referring to technology, 'bedienen' is often combined with words like 'Maschine' (machine), 'Gerät' (device), 'Computer' (computer), or 'Software' (software).
Kannst du mir zeigen, wie man diesen Drucker bedient?
Can you show me how to operate this printer?
The reflexive form 'sich bedienen' (to help oneself) is very often used as a polite imperative, especially at buffets or when offering something to guests.
Nehmt euch ruhig noch ein Stück Kuchen, bedient euch!
Go ahead and take another piece of cake; help yourselves!
In elevated language, 'sich einer Sache bedienen' (to make use of something) is used with the genitive. This expresses that one deliberately uses a specific means or method.
Der Autor bedient sich einer sehr bildhaften Sprache.
The author makes use of very vivid language.
to use / benefit
'nutzen' and 'bedienen' can both mean that you use something. 'nutzen' is more general: you can use a device, an opportunity, a method, or time. 'bedienen' fits especially when you operate a device, a machine, or a technical system. There is also the more elevated form 'sich einer Sache bedienen' (to make use of something), when you deliberately use a means or tool. Learners may confuse the words because both occur in technical contexts. As a guide: you can use a device with 'nutzen', but when you press buttons, adjust settings, or control a machine, 'bedienen' is more precise.
In der Werkstatt bedient Luisa die Maschine nur zusammen mit ihrer Kollegin.
In the workshop, Luisa operates the machine only together with her colleague.
Für den nächsten Arbeitstag nutzt die Verkäuferin eine neue Liste mit allen Bestellungen.
For the next workday, the sales assistant uses a new list with all the orders.