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.
to operate
To use and control a machine, device, or technical system.
Ich zeige dir, wie man die neue Software bedient.
I’ll show you how to operate the new software.
to help oneself
To take something for oneself, especially food or drinks from a buffet or shared platter.
Bitte bedienen Sie sich, der Kuchen ist für alle da.
Please help yourself; the cake is for everyone.
to make use of
To deliberately use or employ something, often something abstract such as a method, language, or means, in order to achieve a specific goal.
Für seine Argumentation bediente er sich neuester wissenschaftlicher Erkenntnisse.
For his argument, he made use of the latest scientific findings.
'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 play
Both words can refer to handling an instrument. „Spielen“ is the usual general term for making music with an instrument. „Bedienen“, by contrast, emphasizes the technical operation of a device and is therefore more appropriate when controlling it is the main focus.
Der Techniker zeigt Mara, wie sie das neue Mischpult bedienen kann.
The technician shows Mara how to operate the new mixing console.
Mara spielt seit ihrer Kindheit Klavier.
Mara has been playing the piano since childhood.
