Verb

dienen

Translation

to serve, to be of use, to function as

Er dient seinem Land als Soldat.

He serves his country as a soldier.

Wozu dient dieser Knopf?

What purpose does this button serve?

Die Soldaten dienten ihrem Land.

The soldiers served their country.

((j-m)) to serve sb. The knight served the king faithfully.

((als et4)) to serve as sth. This room serves as my office.

((zu et3)) to serve for sth./a purpose. The money serves a good cause.

Synonyms: helfen (to help), nützen (to be of use); Antonyms: befehlen (to command), herrschen (to rule)

From Old High German 'dionōn' (to serve). Cognate with the archaic English word 'thane'.

Think of a 'dean' of a university who 'serves' the students and faculty. 'Dean' and 'dienen' have a similar sound.