면접
myeonjeop[ˈmjɘ(ː)ɲd͡ʑʌ̹p̚]
The Korean word for 'interview' is 면접 (myeonjeop).
면접 is the most common and formal way to say 'interview' in Korean, typically referring to a formal meeting for the assessment of a candidate or applicant. In corporate or academic settings, you may also encounter the term 심층면접, which refers to an in-depth interview.
Meaning: a formal meeting for the assessment of a candidate or applicant (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 면접 is used for formal assessments like job applications or school admissions, the loanword 인터뷰 is used for media-related contexts, such as a journalist conducting an interview with a celebrity.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the act of having an interview, you can use the verb 면접하다 (to interview). However, when describing a candidate undergoing an interview, the phrase 면접을 보다 (to take/undergo an interview) is more commonly used.
How do you pronounce it?
myeonjeop
Did you know?
- In a 면접, candidates often perform a deep bow and use highly formal honorifics that are far more rigid than standard polite Korean. This reflects the hierarchical nature of the employer-employee relationship.
- In a Korean job interview, you might hear the term 압박 면접 (apbak myeonjeop), which literally translates to 'pressure interview'.
- The word 면접 (myeonjeop) is composed of two Hanja characters: 面 meaning 'face' and 接 meaning 'to touch' or 'to contact'.
Examples in context
- 나는 다가오고 있는 면접을 준비하고 있다.I am preparing for an upcoming interview.This sentence is useful for practicing how to talk about preparing for 면접.
- 면접이 어떻게 되었나요?How did the job interview go?This sentence is useful for asking about the outcome of a 면접.
- 오늘 면접을 보러 갈 거예요.I'm going for an interview today.
- 저는 인터뷰 경험이 많아요.I have a lot of experience with interviews.
- 심층면접은 제 실력을 더 잘 보여줄 수 있어요.A deep interview can better showcase my abilities.
- 내일 면접이 있어서 정말 떨려요.naeil myeonjeobi isseoseo jeongmal tteollyeoyo.I am really nervous because I have an interview tomorrow.
Example conversation
Hyunwoo and Seoyeon are talking at a cafe about his job search.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo서연 씨, 저 내일 면접이 있어요.Seoyeon ssi, jeo naeil myeonjeobi isseoyo.Seoyeon, I have an interview tomorrow.
- 서연 Seo-yeon정말요? 현우 씨는 잘할 수 있을 거예요.Jeongmallyo? Hyunwoo ssi-neun jalhal su isseul geoyeyo.Really? You will do well, Hyunwoo.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo감사합니다. 면접 준비를 많이 해야겠어요.Gamsahamnida. Myeonjeop junbibeul mani haeyagesseoyo.Thank you. I should prepare a lot for the interview.
- 서연 Seo-yeon응원할게요. 화이팅하세요!Eungwonhalgeyo. Hwaiting-haseyo!I'll be rooting for you. Good luck!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “interview” translations and entries 면접, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 면접, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
