French Phrase
Bien sûr, sers-toi.
Meaning
Literally “Of course, serve yourself,” this phrase is a friendly way to tell someone they can help themselves to food, drink, or anything being offered. It conveys both assurance and hospitality.
When to use
Use it in informal settings—when a friend, family member, or a familiar guest arrives and you want to invite them to take food, a drink, or any shared item without formalities.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Biensûr,sers-toi.
Bien sûr
An adverbial phrase meaning “of course”. It’s placed at the beginning of a sentence and is not conjugated.
Imperative of se servir
The verb *se servir* (to serve oneself) in the tu‑imperative drops the final -e of the infinitive and attaches the reflexive pronoun after the verb with a hyphen: sers‑toi.
Hyphenation & Pronoun Placement
In French imperatives, object pronouns are attached to the verb with hyphens (e.g., *donne‑le*, *sers‑toi*).
Formal vs. Informal
Use *sers‑toi* with friends or family (tu). For a polite or plural audience, use *servez‑vous*.
🗨In Conversation
Tu veux du café ?
Do you want some coffee?
Bien sûr, sers-toi.
Of course, help yourself.
✕Common Mistakes
Bien sûr, serre‑toi.
‘Serre‑toi’ is the imperative of *se serrer* (to tighten) and does not mean ‘help yourself’. Use *sers‑toi*.
Bien sûr, sers‑vous.
When speaking to a single person informally you must use *sers‑toi*. *Sers‑vous* is only for plural or formal ‘vous’.
Bien sur, sers‑toi.
The accent on *sûr* is essential; without it the word means “sure” (as in certain) rather than “of course”.
Bien sûr, sers toi.
The hyphen is mandatory in the imperative; writing *sers toi* is considered incorrect.
↔Alternatives
Allez-y, servez‑vous.
Go ahead, serve yourselves.
Oui, prends‑en.
Yes, take some.
C’est à ta disposition.
It’s at your disposal.
Cultural Tip
In French culture, offering food or drink with *sers‑toi* signals warmth and informality. It’s common in homes, small cafés, or among close colleagues. Avoid using it with strangers you don’t know well; opt for the more formal *servez‑vous* to stay polite.