dienen als
to serve as
To fulfill a particular purpose or function as something specific.
EXAMPLE
Dieser Raum dient uns als provisorisches Büro.
This room serves us as a temporary office.
dienen
to serve
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Meanings
dienen
to serve
To work for someone and follow their instructions, often in a subordinate position.
EXAMPLE
Er diente dem König viele Jahre als treuer Berater.
He served the king for many years as a loyal adviser.
dienen
to serve / benefit
To be useful to someone or something, or to bring an advantage.
EXAMPLE
Diese Maßnahme dient der Sicherheit aller Mitarbeiter.
This measure serves the safety of all employees.
dienen
to serve
To complete military service or serve in the armed forces.
EXAMPLE
Mein Großvater hat zwei Jahre bei der Marine gedient.
My grandfather served in the navy for two years.
Usage tips
Always with dative
The verb 'dienen' (to serve) is always used with the dative. The person or thing that one serves, or for which something is useful, is in the dative.
EXAMPLE
Der Hund dient seinem Herrn als treuer Begleiter.
The dog serves his master as a loyal companion.
Word family
The verb 'dienen' (to serve) is the root of many other words related to service or duty. Examples are 'der Dienst' (service/duty), 'der Diener' (servant), or 'die Bedienung' (service/waiter/waitress).
EXAMPLE
Der Kundendienst war sehr hilfreich.
Customer service was very helpful.
Fixed structure with 'als'
When 'dienen' (to serve) has the meaning 'to function as', it is always followed by the preposition 'als' with a noun in the nominative. The structure is: subject + dienen + (dative) + als + noun.
EXAMPLE
Die alte Kiste dient mir als Tisch.
The old crate serves me as a table.
Typical collocations
In the meaning 'to be useful', 'dienen' (to serve) is often combined with abstract nouns in the dative. Typical phrases are 'einem Zweck dienen' (to serve a purpose), 'der Sicherheit dienen' (to serve safety), or 'als Vorbild dienen' (to serve as a role model).
EXAMPLE
Regelmäßiger Sport dient der Gesundheit.
Regular exercise benefits health.
Military context
In a military context, 'dienen' (to serve) is often used with prepositions like 'bei' or 'in' to describe the place or unit. You can also add 'als' to name the role.
EXAMPLE
Er hat drei Jahre bei der Luftwaffe gedient.
He served in the air force for three years.
Compare with
dienen vs bedienen
to serve / operate
Here, Dienen describes a subordinate working relationship in which someone works for a person and follows their instructions. Bedienen, by contrast, refers to providing direct service to a customer or guest. A Diener dient someone, while a service worker bedient someone.
dienen
Der persönliche Diener dient dem Hotelgast während seines gesamten Aufenthalts.
The personal servant serves the hotel guest throughout his entire stay.
bedienen
Die Kellnerin bedient den Hotelgast während des Abendessens.
The waitress serves the hotel guest during dinner.
In real life
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