面试
miànshì
In Chinese, the word for 'interview' is 面试 (miànshì).
面试 refers to a formal meeting held to assess a candidate or applicant, such as for a job or admission to a school.
Meaning: a formal meeting for the assessment of a candidate or applicant (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 面试 is composed of 面, meaning 'face' and 试, meaning 'to test' or 'to try', literally meaning a 'face-to-face meeting/test'.
Which one should you use?
While 面试 is used specifically for job or school admission interviews, 访问 is used for interviews in the sense of a journalist interviewing someone or for a formal visit. In the context of journalism, the term 采访 is used to describe interviews conducted by reporters.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Hong Kong and Macau, the term 面談 is used to mean 'interview'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
面试 can function as both a noun (an interview) and a verb (to interview someone) depending on the context of the sentence.
How do you pronounce it?
miànshì
Did you know?
- During a 面试, it is common for interviewers to ask very personal questions about a candidate's marital status or family background that would be illegal or taboo in many Western countries.
- The character 面 in 面试 refers to the face, but in Chinese social dynamics, 'giving face' 给面子 is a critical concept of maintaining another person's dignity during social interactions.
- In some Chinese corporate cultures, candidates may face a 'stress interview' designed to provoke emotional reactions, often involving aggressive questioning to test the applicant's composure.
Examples in context
- 你的面试怎么样？How did your interview go?This sentence is useful for asking about the outcome of an interview using 面试.Tatoeba #348119 by zhouj1955, translation #6110 by CK
- 明天就要去入学面试了，希望可以通过。I've got my college interview tomorrow. Hopefully I'll pass.This sentence is useful for discussing an upcoming college interview using 面试.Tatoeba #2301841 by xuan, translation #2306765 by FeuDRenais2
- 这次面试的意义是评断你适不适合这家公司。The purpose of this interview is to assess whether or not you are suitable for the company.This sentence is useful for explaining the purpose of an interview using 面试.Tatoeba #803441 by eastasiastudent, translation #803443 by eastasiastudent
- 我明天有一场重要的面试。I have an important interview tomorrow.
- 他们安排了一次采访，以了解我的观点。They scheduled an interview to learn about my perspective.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a job opportunity over coffee.
- 志强 Zhiqiang你准备好明天的面试了吗？Nǐ zhǔnbèi hǎo míngtiān de miànshì le ma?Are you ready for tomorrow's interview?
- 梓涵 Zihan我有点紧张，但已经准备了。Wǒ yǒudiǎn jǐnzhāng, dàn yǐjīng zhǔnbèi le.I'm a bit nervous, but I've prepared.
- 志强 Zhiqiang别担心，你一定会成功的。Bié dānxīn, nǐ yīdìng huì chénggōng de.Don't worry, you will definitely succeed.
- 梓涵 Zihan谢谢你的鼓励，志强。Xièxiè nǐ de gǔlì, Zhìqiáng.Thank you for your encouragement, Zhiqiang.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
