面接
mensetsu[mẽ̞ɰ̃se̞t͡sɨ]
The English phrase 'interview' is translated into Japanese as 面接 (mensetsu).
面接 is the most commonly used term for a formal interview in Japanese, encompassing job interviews and formal meetings.
Meaning: a formal meeting for the assessment of a candidate or applicant (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 面接 refers to an assessment of a person (like a job interview), 取材 is the term used for a journalist conducting an interview to gather information for a story.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb you use depends on your role in the interview.
How do you pronounce it?
mensetsu
Did you know?
- In some traditional Japanese 面接 settings, the interviewers may remain entirely silent for a period to observe how the candidate handles pressure and silence.
- Japanese business culture distinguishes between a 面接 and a 面談. While 面接 is an assessment where one side judges the other, 面談 is a more neutral discussion or consultation between two parties.
- The word 面接 is composed of the characters for 'face' and 'contact', creating a literal image of 'face-to-face contact' to describe the encounter.
Examples in context
- 明日、面接なんだ。I've got an interview tomorrow.Tatoeba #10792724 by small_snow, translation #10708817 by shekitten
- 面接はどうだった？How was your interview?Tatoeba #12440066 by small_snow, translation #8263263 by sundown
- 面接はどうでしたか。How did your interview go?Tatoeba #138732 by KK_kaku_, translation #6110 by CK
- 明日、大学の学長との面接があります。Tomorrow, I have an interview with the university president.
- このインタビューはどのメディアで公開されるのですか？On which media outlet will this interview be released?
- 面談室は二階にあります。The interview room is on the second floor.
- 19 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
陽葵 is telling 陽太 about her job hunting progress at home.
- 陽葵 Himari明日、第一志望の面接があるの。ashita, daiichi shibou no mensetsu ga aru no.I have an interview for my first choice tomorrow.
- 陽太 Yota頑張ってね、陽葵なら大丈夫だよ。ganbatte ne, Himari nara daijoubu dayo.Good luck, you'll be fine, Himari.
- 陽葵 Himariありがとう、緊張するけど頑張るね。arigatou, kinchou suru kedo ganbaru ne.Thank you, I'm nervous but I'll do my best.
- 陽太 Yota落ち着いて、実力を出し切ってきて。ochitsuite, jitsuryoku o dashikitte kite.Stay calm, and show them what you can do.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “interview” translations and entries 面接, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
