面接する

The Japanese verb 面接する (mensetsu suru) is a foundational term for anyone navigating professional, educational, or official environments in Japan. At its core, it means 'to interview' or 'to conduct an interview,' but it also encompasses the act of 'being interviewed' depending on the context and the particles used. The word is composed of two kanji: 面 (men), meaning 'face' or 'surface,' and 接 (setsu), meaning 'touch,' 'contact,' or 'adjoin.' Literally, it describes the act of 'faces coming into contact,' which perfectly captures the essence of a formal, face-to-face meeting designed for evaluation or information gathering.

Professional Context

In the world of Japanese business, mensetsu suru is the standard term for job interviews. Whether it is a part-time job (arubaito) or a career position (seishain), this is the verb used by both the employer and the applicant to describe the process. It implies a level of formality that distinguishes it from a casual chat or a simple meeting.

Beyond the job market, mensetsu suru is ubiquitous in the education system. Japan's entrance examination system (juken) often involves an interview stage where students are evaluated on their character, communication skills, and motivation. This can occur at any level, from prestigious kindergartens to elite universities. In these settings, the word carries a weight of high stakes and rigorous preparation. It is not just a conversation; it is a performance where one's future is often decided. The verb is also used in official capacities, such as immigration interviews, visa applications, or psychological evaluations. Whenever an authority figure meets an individual to assess their suitability for a specific role or status, mensetsu suru is the appropriate term.

Social Nuance

Using this word implies a power dynamic. One side is the evaluator, and the other is being evaluated. This is why you would never use it for a casual interview with a celebrity or a friend; for those, you would use 'intabyuu suru' or 'kiku'.

In modern usage, the word has also expanded into digital spaces. 'Online mensetsu' (online interviews) have become the norm, yet the verb remains the same. Despite the physical distance, the 'face-to-face' contact implied by the kanji is maintained through the screen. Understanding this word is essential because it unlocks a significant portion of Japanese social structure—the gatekeeping mechanisms of society. From the 'Shuukatsu' (job hunting) season that dominates the lives of university seniors to the 'O-juken' (school entrance prep) for toddlers, mensetsu suru is a verb that defines transitions and milestones in a Japanese person's life.

Grammatical Flexibility

As a suru-verb, it is highly adaptable. It can be made passive (mensetsu sareru - to be interviewed), causative (mensetsu saseru - to make someone interview), or polite (mensetsu shimasu). This versatility allows it to fit into any sentence structure required by the formality of the situation.

Mastering the use of 面接する (mensetsu suru) requires understanding the particles that surround it and the directional flow of the action. Because it is a transitive verb, the person or candidate being interviewed is usually marked with the particle を (o). However, the location or the context of the interview often dictates other particle choices, such as で (de) for the place where the interview occurs or に (ni) for the time or specific purpose.

The Evaluator's Perspective

When you are the one conducting the interview, you are the subject. For example, 'Buchou ga kouhou-sha o mensetsu shimasu' (The department manager will interview the candidates). Here, the manager is the actor, and the candidates are the object of the action.

A common point of confusion for learners is how to express being the one interviewed. While you can say 'mensetsu o ukeru' (to undergo an interview), you can also use the passive form of the verb: mensetsu sareru. This is particularly useful in narrative contexts or when focusing on the experience of the candidate. For instance, 'Watashi wa kinoo, yume no kaisha ni mensetsu saremashita' (Yesterday, I was interviewed by my dream company). Note that the company is marked with ni in this passive construction.

Specific Scenarios

In school contexts, you might say 'Sensei to mensetsu suru' (to have an interview with the teacher). Here, 'to' implies a mutual meeting, though the teacher still holds the evaluative role. In formal business Japanese, you might use 'o-mensetsu itashimasu' (humble form) to sound more professional.

When describing the intensity or style of the interview, adverbs are frequently used. 'Kibishiku mensetsu suru' (to interview strictly) or 'Teinei ni mensetsu suru' (to interview politely/thoroughly) provide more flavor to the sentence. Additionally, the verb can be combined with other nouns to create compound phrases, such as 'shudan mensetsu suru' (to conduct a group interview) or 'kojin mensetsu suru' (to conduct an individual interview). These variations are essential for describing the specific logistics of Japanese hiring practices, which often involve multiple rounds of different interview styles.

Common Collocations

Often paired with: 採用 (saiyou - hiring), 応募者 (oubosha - applicant), 会場 (kaijou - venue), and 緊張 (kinchou - nervousness).

If you live or work in Japan, 面接する (mensetsu suru) will become a constant in your vocabulary. One of the most common places to hear it is in a university's career center. During the 'Shuukatsu' (job hunting) season, you'll hear students anxiously discussing which companies are mensetsu suru-ing this week and sharing tips on how to survive the process. It's not just a word; it represents a stressful rite of passage for thousands of young people every year.

In the Office

In a corporate setting, you'll hear it in the HR department or during morning meetings (chourei). A manager might say, 'Gogo kara sankansen no hito o mensetsu shimasu' (I will be interviewing three people this afternoon). It signals a shift in the daily routine and a focus on expansion or replacement within the team.

Television and news media also use mensetsu suru frequently when reporting on employment statistics, educational reforms, or government appointments. For example, a news anchor might report on how many companies are now mensetsu suru-ing via VR or AI. In these contexts, the word sounds formal and objective. However, in 'dorama' (Japanese TV dramas), the word is often the center of high-tension scenes. A protagonist might be shown waiting in a sterile hallway, nervously straightening their suit before the door opens and a voice says, 'Tsugi no kata, mensetsu shimasu' (Next person, we'll interview you now).

The 'Arubaito' Experience

Even if you are just looking for a part-time job at a convenience store or cafe, the manager will tell you, 'Mazu wa mensetsu shimashou' (First, let's have an interview). Even for simple jobs, the formal structure of the 'mensetsu' is usually maintained.

You will also encounter it in official documents. When you apply for a residence card or a visa extension, the paperwork might mention 'mensetsu no hitsuyo-sei' (the necessity of an interview). In this case, it's not a choice but a legal requirement. Hearing the word in an administrative building usually means you need to prepare your documents and your 'keigo' (polite Japanese). Finally, in the healthcare or social work sectors, professionals might mensetsu suru patients or clients to assess their needs. Here, the word takes on a more clinical, supportive tone, yet it retains that core meaning of a structured, face-to-face evaluation.

While 面接する (mensetsu suru) seems straightforward, English speakers often trip over its specific cultural and linguistic boundaries. The most common mistake is confusing it with the loanword インタビュー (intabyuu). In English, 'interview' covers everything from a job meeting to a journalist talking to a rock star. In Japanese, these are strictly separated. Mensetsu suru is for evaluation (jobs, schools, visas); intabyuu suru is for media and information gathering (news, magazines, documentaries).

Mistake: Using 'Intabyuu' for Jobs

If you say 'Ashita, intabyuu ga arimasu' when you mean a job interview, a Japanese person might think you are a reporter or a famous person being questioned. Always use 'mensetsu' for employment.

Another frequent error involves particle usage. As mentioned, mensetsu suru is transitive. However, learners often use ni (to) for the person being interviewed because they are thinking of 'talking TO someone.' In Japanese, you interview 'the person' (person o mensetsu suru). If you use ni, it sounds like you are performing the interview 'at' or 'to' them in a way that doesn't quite fit the grammar of the verb. Conversely, if you are the one being interviewed, don't forget the passive sareru or the auxiliary verb ukeru (to receive).

Confusing 'Mensetsu' with 'Mendan'

'Mendan' (面談) is a consultation or a more informal meeting. If a teacher wants to talk to a parent about a student's grades, they use 'mendan'. If the teacher is evaluating the student for admission, they use 'mensetsu'. Using 'mensetsu' for a casual consultation can sound overly intimidating.

Finally, watch your register. Because mensetsu is inherently formal, using it with very casual slang can create a jarring 'comedic' effect. If you are in a real interview, you must use the polite shimasu or the humble/honorific forms. Saying 'mensetsu suru ze!' (I'm gonna interview ya!) to a candidate would be extremely unprofessional and confusing. Remember: the word itself carries the weight of the suit and tie environment it belongs to. Treat it with the linguistic respect that Japanese society accords to the hiring process.

While 面接する (mensetsu suru) is the king of formal evaluation meetings, Japanese has several other words that cover similar ground but with different nuances. Understanding these will help you choose the right word for the right situation and avoid sounding like a textbook.

面接 (Mensetsu) vs. 面談 (Mendan)

Mensetsu is for evaluation and selection (hiring, entrance exams). Mendan is for consultation, discussion, or checking in (parent-teacher meetings, 1-on-1s with a boss). Mendan is less about 'pass/fail' and more about 'communication'.

Then we have インタビュー (intabyuu). As discussed in the 'Common Mistakes' section, this is strictly for media or research. If a journalist 'interviews' a politician, it's an intabyuu. If the Prime Minister 'interviews' a potential cabinet member, it's a mensetsu. The distinction is the purpose: Information vs. Evaluation.

Other Alternatives

• 会見 (Kaiken): A formal press conference or a high-level meeting between dignitaries.
• 聴取 (Choushuu): A formal hearing or questioning, often used by police or in legal contexts (e.g., 'jijitsu choushuu' - fact-finding hearing).
• 見合い (Miai): Short for 'Omiai,' this is a formal 'interview' for a potential marriage partner.

For those in academic or research fields, mensetsu suru might be replaced by ヒアリング (hiaringu). This loanword is often used in business or research to mean 'gathering requirements' or 'listening to stakeholders.' It sounds more collaborative and less like a test. However, if the 'hiaringu' is actually to decide if someone gets a grant, it might slide back into being a mensetsu. Choosing between these words requires a keen sense of the social hierarchy and the ultimate goal of the meeting. In summary: use mensetsu when someone is being judged for a spot, mendan when someone is being helped or managed, and intabyuu when someone is being featured in a story.