In Japan the hollow stems serve as water pipes.

Would the verb in this sentence be an intransitive or transitive?

intransitive

Right.

To determine whether the verb in the sentence is intransitive or transitive, we first need to identify the verb in the sentence. In this case, the verb is "serve."

To understand whether "serve" is transitive or intransitive, we can examine the sentence structure and the presence or absence of an object.

In this sentence, "serve" is used without a direct object. It does not specify what is being served or whom it is being served to. Therefore, "serve" is being used intransitively.

In summary, the verb "serve" in the sentence "In Japan, the hollow stems serve as water pipes" is being used intransitively.