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A2 verb #4,000 le plus courant 13 min de lecture

entrevistar

Top 4,000

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces entrevistar en 30 secondes

Explication entrevistar in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should focus on the most basic use of 'entrevistar' related to jobs and simple meetings. You will mostly use it in the present tense or with 'ir a' for the near future. For example, 'Yo voy a entrevistar a una persona' (I am going to interview a person). At this stage, the most important thing is to remember the 'personal a' when you are talking about interviewing a person. You might hear this word when people talk about their daily work routines or when they describe a simple job hunt. It's a useful word to know for basic introductions to professional life in Spanish. Don't worry about complex conjugations yet; just focus on the infinitive and the simple present forms like 'él entrevista' or 'nosotros entrevistamos'. Imagine you are a student helping a teacher; you might say, '¿Puedo entrevistar a mi compañero?' (Can I interview my classmate?). This simple structure helps you practice the verb in a safe, classroom-like environment. You should also learn the noun 'la entrevista' (the interview), as it is very common: 'Tengo una entrevista mañana' (I have an interview tomorrow). This pair of words—the verb and the noun—will give you a solid foundation for discussing professional and social interactions. Remember, Spanish speakers value politeness, so even at A1, using 'entrevistar' correctly shows you respect the formal nature of the meeting.

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At the A2 level, you can start using 'entrevistar' in the past tenses (Preterite and Imperfect) to describe things that happened. For instance, 'Ayer entrevisté a un nuevo empleado' (Yesterday I interviewed a new employee). You should also be comfortable using it with direct object pronouns. Instead of repeating the name, you can say 'Lo entrevisté' (I interviewed him) or 'La entrevisté' (I interviewed her). This is a key skill at this level. You will also encounter 'entrevistar' in more varied contexts, like simple news reports or school projects. You might talk about 'entrevistar a un abuelo' (interviewing a grandfather) for a history project. This is also a good time to learn the reflexive form 'entrevistarse con', which means 'to meet with' in a formal sense. You might say, 'Me entrevisté con el médico' (I had an interview/meeting with the doctor). Understanding the difference between 'I interviewed someone' and 'I met with someone for an interview' is a significant step forward in your Spanish proficiency. You should also be able to understand the word when used in simple instructions, like 'Tienes que entrevistar a tres personas para este ejercicio' (You have to interview three people for this exercise). The focus at A2 is on building sentences that describe actions and experiences in the past and future with more confidence and slightly more complex grammar.

At the B1 level, you are expected to use 'entrevistar' in more complex sentence structures, including the present subjunctive. For example, 'Es importante que el gerente entreviste a todos' (It is important that the manager interviews everyone). You will also use it to express opinions, hopes, and doubts. You might say, 'Espero que me entrevisten pronto' (I hope they interview me soon). This level also involves understanding 'entrevistar' in a professional or academic context more deeply. You might read articles about how to 'entrevistar con éxito' (interview successfully) or listen to podcasts where the host says, 'Hoy vamos a entrevistar a un experto en medio ambiente.' You should be able to follow the flow of an interview and identify the roles of the 'entrevistador' and the 'entrevistado'. Additionally, you can start using the word in the passive voice: 'El candidato fue entrevistado por tres personas' (The candidate was interviewed by three people). This is common in more formal writing and news reporting. At B1, you should also be aware of synonyms like 'encuestar' or 'interrogar' and know when 'entrevistar' is the better choice. Your ability to use the verb in different moods (indicative, subjunctive, imperative) and voices (active, passive) will show a maturing command of the language. You might also use it in the conditional: 'Si tuviera tiempo, entrevistaría a más personas' (If I had time, I would interview more people).

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At the B2 level, you should be able to use 'entrevistar' fluently in professional and academic discussions. You can talk about the methodology of 'entrevistar' in research, discussing things like 'entrevistas semiestructuradas' (semi-structured interviews) or 'entrevistas en profundidad' (in-depth interviews). You should be comfortable using the verb in all tenses, including the past subjunctive: 'Si me hubieran entrevistado, habría conseguido el trabajo' (If they had interviewed me, I would have gotten the job). At this level, you will also encounter the word in nuanced journalistic contexts where the 'entrevistador' might be 'cuestionando' (questioning) or 'sondeando' (probing) the interviewee. You should understand the subtle differences in tone and register. You can also use the noun 'entrevista' in various collocations like 'entrevista de trabajo' (job interview), 'entrevista exclusiva' (exclusive interview), or 'entrevista clínica' (clinical interview). Your ability to discuss the ethics and techniques of interviewing in Spanish will be a hallmark of this level. You might say, 'Es vital que el periodista sepa cómo entrevistar a víctimas de traumas con sensibilidad' (It is vital that the journalist knows how to interview trauma victims with sensitivity). You are no longer just using the word; you are discussing the act of interviewing itself as a professional skill. This includes understanding regional variations and formal vs. informal address (tú vs. usted) during the act of 'entrevistar'.

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At the C1 level, your use of 'entrevistar' should be sophisticated and precise. You can use it to describe complex social and political interactions. You might analyze how a certain media outlet chooses to 'entrevistar' certain figures over others, or discuss the linguistic strategies used when 'entrevistando' a high-profile politician. You will be familiar with more obscure idioms and professional jargon related to the word. For example, you might use 'entrevistar' in the context of 'perfilado' (profiling) or 'evaluación psicotécnica'. You should be able to write detailed reports or academic papers where 'entrevistar' is a key methodological component, using precise adverbs to describe the process: 'entrevistar exhaustivamente' (to interview exhaustively), 'entrevistar de manera imparcial' (to interview impartially). Your understanding of the word extends to its historical and etymological roots, and you can use it in literary or high-level analytical contexts. You might say, 'La obra se construye a partir de la técnica de entrevistar a personajes ficticios como si fueran reales' (The work is built using the technique of interviewing fictional characters as if they were real). At this level, you are also sensitive to the power dynamics inherent in the verb and can discuss how 'entrevistar' can be a tool for both empowerment and marginalization depending on the context. Your command of the subjunctive and complex conditional sentences involving 'entrevistar' is near-native.

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At the C2 level, 'entrevistar' is a word you use with total mastery and stylistic flair. You can use it in highly abstract or philosophical discussions about the nature of dialogue and the 'view between' (entre-vista) two souls. You might critique the 'sociedad de la entrevista' (the interview society) where everything is mediated through structured questioning. Your use of the verb is indistinguishable from that of an educated native speaker, including the use of very formal or archaic forms if the context calls for it. You can navigate the most high-pressure situations, such as 'entrevistar' a head of state or conducting a high-stakes forensic interview, with complete linguistic control. You understand the deep cultural implications of 'entrevistar' across the entire Spanish-speaking world, from the formal 'usted' protocols in Bogotá to the more direct styles in Madrid. You might use the word in complex metaphors: 'La vida nos suele entrevistar en los momentos menos pensados, exigiéndonos respuestas claras ante la incertidumbre' (Life often interviews us in the least expected moments, demanding clear answers in the face of uncertainty). At C2, the word is a flexible tool in your vast linguistic arsenal, used to convey subtle shades of meaning, irony, or authority. You can switch between different registers and regional styles of 'entrevistar' with ease, reflecting a deep immersion in the language and its many cultures.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

entrevistar en 30 secondes

Entrevistar is a regular -ar verb meaning 'to interview' in professional, journalistic, or academic contexts.
It requires the 'personal a' when the object is a person (e.g., 'entrevistar a alguien').
Commonly used in job recruitment, news reporting, and research data collection.
Distinguished from 'interrogar' (hostile questioning) and 'charlar' (casual chatting).

The Spanish verb entrevistar is a fundamental term for anyone navigating professional, journalistic, or academic environments in the Spanish-speaking world. At its core, it means 'to interview,' but its application is as diverse as the cultures that use it. Whether you are a job seeker preparing for a meeting with a hiring manager, a journalist seeking the truth from a public official, or a student conducting research for a thesis, entrevistar is the action that facilitates the exchange of information through structured questioning. In the professional realm, the word carries a weight of formality; it implies a planned encounter where one party (the entrevistador) seeks to evaluate or learn from another (the entrevistado). Unlike casual conversation, entrevistar suggests a specific purpose and a set of objectives.

Professional Context: In the world of work, entrevistar is the primary verb used for the recruitment process. HR departments spend their days entrevistando candidatos to find the best fit for their teams. It is not just about the questions; it is about the evaluation of character and skill.
Journalistic Context: Reporters and news anchors use entrevistar when they are speaking with experts, celebrities, or witnesses. Here, the focus is on uncovering facts or sharing a story with the public. It is a tool for transparency and information dissemination.

El director va a entrevistar a los tres finalistas para el puesto de arquitecto esta tarde en la oficina principal.

Beyond these common uses, entrevistar can also appear in legal or clinical settings. A psychologist might entrevistar a patient to understand their history, or a social worker might entrevistar a family to assess their needs. In all these cases, the verb highlights a power dynamic where one person leads the dialogue to extract specific data. It is important to note that Spanish speakers often use the reflexive form entrevistarse when they want to say 'to have an interview' or 'to meet for an interview,' which emphasizes the mutual nature of the meeting. For example, 'Me voy a entrevistar con el decano' implies a more collaborative meeting than 'El decano me va a entrevistar.'

La periodista logró entrevistar al presidente después de meses de insistencia y negociaciones con su equipo de prensa.

Academic Research: In qualitative research, entrevistar is the method of choice for gathering primary data. Researchers must entrevistar participants using semi-structured guides to ensure consistency while allowing for depth.

Para mi tesis doctoral, necesito entrevistar a veinte expertos en energías renovables de diferentes partes del mundo.

In summary, entrevistar is more than just asking questions; it is a structured, purposeful interaction. Whether you are on the giving or receiving end, understanding the nuances of this verb will help you navigate professional and social landscapes in Spanish with much more confidence and accuracy.

Using entrevistar correctly requires an understanding of Spanish verb conjugation and the use of the 'personal a'. As a regular '-ar' verb, it follows standard patterns in all tenses, making it relatively easy for learners to master once they know the base. However, the syntax surrounding the verb—specifically how it interacts with its objects—is where many students trip up. Because entrevistar almost always involves a human being as the object of the action, the preposition 'a' is mandatory. This is a foundational rule in Spanish grammar that must be applied consistently to avoid sounding unnatural or ungrammatical.

The Personal 'A' Rule: Whenever you interview a person or a group of people, you must use 'a'. For example: 'Quiero entrevistar a María' or 'Vamos a entrevistar a los nuevos empleados'. Without the 'a', the sentence feels incomplete to a native speaker.

Ayer, el comité decidió entrevistar a todos los solicitantes que tenían más de cinco años de experiencia en el sector.

In terms of tense usage, entrevistar is frequently used in the future and the present perfect. In a professional setting, you might say, 'Mañana entrevistaremos a los candidatos,' or 'Ya hemos entrevistado a tres personas hoy.' The verb also works well in the passive voice, which is common in news reporting: 'El actor fue entrevistado por la prensa local.' This passive construction allows the focus to remain on the person being interviewed rather than the one asking the questions, which is often the case with high-profile figures.

Si quieres el trabajo, tienes que dejar que el gerente te entreviste con calma y responder todas sus dudas.

Common Tenses for Entrevistar: Present: Yo entrevisto (I interview).
Preterite: Yo entrevisté (I interviewed).
Imperfect: Yo entrevistaba (I used to interview).
Future: Yo entrevistaré (I will interview).

Another important nuance is the difference between entrevistar and entrevistarse con. As mentioned before, the reflexive version entrevistarse con translates more closely to 'to have an interview with' or 'to meet with.' This is often preferred when the speaker is the one being interviewed or when the meeting is seen as a mutual discussion. For instance, 'Me entrevisté con el jefe' sounds more like a professional meeting you attended, whereas 'El jefe me entrevistó' emphasizes that you were the subject of his questioning.

Es importante que el investigador sepa entrevistar sin influir en las respuestas de los participantes del estudio.

Mastering these patterns will allow you to talk about job hunts, news cycles, and research projects with ease. Just keep the 'personal a' in mind, and you will be well on your way to using entrevistar like a native speaker.

In everyday life, you will encounter the word entrevistar across various media and social situations. It is a staple of the 24-hour news cycle, professional development seminars, and even casual conversations about career progress. If you turn on a Spanish-speaking news channel like CNN en Español or RTVE, you will constantly hear anchors say things like, 'En unos minutos, vamos a entrevistar al ministro de economía.' This usage highlights the word's role in the public's right to information and the journalistic process of holding power to account.

Television & Media: Talk shows and late-night programs are built around the concept of entrevistar celebrities. You'll hear phrases like 'Hoy tenemos el placer de entrevistar a la cantante más famosa del momento.'

Mañana en el programa matutino, el presentador va a entrevistar al autor del libro más vendido del año.

In the corporate world, the word is ubiquitous. If you are in an office in Madrid, Mexico City, or Buenos Aires, you might hear a colleague say, 'No puedo ir a la reunión porque tengo que entrevistar a un programador nuevo.' Here, the word is used as a matter-of-fact description of a common business task. It is also very common in the context of human resources and recruitment. Job boards and LinkedIn posts in Spanish often use the verb in descriptions: 'Buscamos a alguien con capacidad para entrevistar y seleccionar personal de alto nivel.'

El departamento de Recursos Humanos terminó de entrevistar a todos los aspirantes para la beca de investigación.

Podcasts & Digital Content: The rise of podcasts has brought entrevistar into a more informal, digital space. Many influencers and creators talk about 'entrevistar a mis amigos' or 'entrevistar a expertos' in their niche to provide value to their audience.

You might also hear the word in more serious, institutional contexts. For example, during a census or a large-scale sociological study, officials will talk about the need to entrevistar thousands of citizens to gather accurate data. In these cases, the word is associated with methodology and precision. Even in police procedurals or crime dramas on Netflix (like 'La Casa de Papel' or 'Elite'), you will hear detectives say they need to entrevistar a suspect or witness, although they might sometimes switch to the more intense 'interrogar' if the situation is hostile.

La policía necesita entrevistar a los vecinos para saber si alguien vio algo extraño la noche del robo.

Whether you are watching a documentary, applying for a job, or following the news, entrevistar is a word that connects you to the flow of information in society. Recognizing it in these different contexts will help you understand the purpose and tone of the interactions you observe.

Learning a new verb often comes with a few pitfalls, and entrevistar is no exception. While its meaning is straightforward, the grammatical rules and social nuances surrounding it can lead to common errors. The most frequent mistake for English speakers is, without a doubt, the omission of the 'personal a'. In English, we say 'to interview the candidate,' but in Spanish, we must say 'entrevistar al (a + el) candidato.' Forgetting this 'a' makes the sentence sound 'broken' to a native ear, much like saying 'I go store' instead of 'I go to the store' in English.

Mistake 1: Omitting the Personal 'A': Incorrect: 'Tengo que entrevistar el jefe.'
Correct: 'Tengo que entrevistar al jefe.'
Explanation: Human direct objects always require 'a'.

No olvides que debes entrevistar a cada uno de los empleados antes de tomar una decisión final sobre el ascenso.

Another common error is confusing entrevistar with interrogar. While both involve asking questions, they have very different connotations. Entrevistar is generally professional, neutral, or positive. Interrogar, on the other hand, implies a high-pressure, often hostile situation, like a police interrogation. If you tell your boss, 'Voy a interrogar al nuevo pasante,' it sounds like you are going to grill them in a dark room with a spotlight, rather than having a professional chat. Always stick to entrevistar for standard professional or social contexts.

El periodista no quería entrevistar al político solo para obtener respuestas cortas; quería profundizar en su plan de gobierno.

Mistake 2: Confusing Entrevistar and Reunirse: Students often use entrevistar when they just mean 'to meet.' Entrevistar is specifically for an interview format. If you're just meeting a friend or having a general talk with a colleague, use reunirse or quedar.

A third mistake involves the reflexive form entrevistarse. Some learners use it as if it were the same as the active verb. Remember: 'Yo entrevisto a alguien' (I interview someone) vs. 'Yo me entrevisto con alguien' (I have an interview/meeting with someone). The latter is very common when you want to sound more formal or when you are the one being interviewed. Using 'Yo entrevisto con el jefe' is incorrect; it should be 'Me entrevisto con el jefe' or 'El jefe me entrevista'.

Muchos estudiantes se ponen nerviosos cuando les toca entrevistarse con el director de la universidad para la beca.

By being aware of these common slips—the missing 'a', the confusion with 'interrogar', the misuse of 'reunirse', and the reflexive nuances—you can ensure that your use of entrevistar is both grammatically correct and socially appropriate.

While entrevistar is the go-to word for 'to interview,' Spanish offers a variety of alternatives depending on the level of formality, the specific context, and the desired tone. Understanding these synonyms will help you broaden your vocabulary and choose the most precise word for any situation. Whether you're aiming for a casual chat or a formal investigation, there's a word that fits better than a generic 'interview.'

Interrogar vs. Entrevistar: Interrogar is much more intense. It implies a series of questions aimed at getting a specific, often hidden, truth. While entrevistar is a dialogue, interrogar can feel like a one-sided demand for answers. Example: 'La policía interrogó al sospechoso' vs. 'El periodista entrevistó al sospechoso.'
Encuestar vs. Entrevistar: Encuestar means 'to survey' or 'to poll.' This is used when you are asking the same set of questions to a large number of people to gather statistics. Entrevistar is deeper and more individual. Example: 'Vamos a encuestar a mil personas sobre sus hábitos de consumo.'

En lugar de solo entrevistar a los líderes, el sociólogo decidió encuestar a toda la comunidad para tener datos reales.

For more informal settings, you might use verbs like platicar (common in Mexico), charlar, or conversar. These words strip away the formal structure of an interview and imply a more equal, relaxed exchange. If a journalist says, 'Tuve la oportunidad de charlar con el actor,' it sounds much more personal and less like a formal press junket than 'Entrevisté al actor.' Similarly, sondear is a great alternative when you want to 'probe' or 'gauge' someone's opinion without a formal interview process.

Antes de la reunión oficial, el mediador prefirió entrevistar a ambas partes por separado para sondear sus posiciones.

Examinar vs. Entrevistar: Examinar is used in academic or medical contexts. A doctor examines a patient; a teacher examines a student. While an interview might be part of it, examinar implies a more clinical or evaluative physical/mental check.

Lastly, consider cuestionar. While it can mean 'to question' in the sense of asking questions, it often carries the meaning of 'to challenge' or 'to doubt.' If you say, 'El público empezó a cuestionar al experto,' it doesn't mean they were interviewing him; it means they were doubting his credibility. In a formal interview, a journalist might cuestionar a specific policy, but the overall act is still entrevistar.

Es fundamental saber entrevistar con respeto, incluso cuando el objetivo es cuestionar las acciones del entrevistado.

By choosing the right alternative, you can convey much more than just the act of asking questions; you can set the mood, the power dynamic, and the purpose of the entire interaction.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

The word implies that an interview is not just one person looking at another, but a 'view shared between' two people. It captures the interactive nature of the process perfectly.

Guide de prononciation

UK /entɾebisˈtaɾ/

US /entɾebisˈtaɾ/

Last syllable (tar)

Rime avec

Cantar Hablar Mirar Llegar Pensar Trabajar Viajar Esperar

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing the 'v' like an English 'v' (labiodental).
Using a heavy English 'r' at the end.
Stressing the first or second syllable instead of the last.
Aspirating the 't' sound.
Pronouncing the 'e' like 'ay' in 'play'.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 2/5

The word is very similar to English, making it easy to recognize in text.

Écriture 3/5

Requires remembering the 'personal a' and regular -ar conjugations.

Expression orale 3/5

The 'v' sound and the 'r' at the end can be tricky for beginners.

Écoute 2/5

Commonly used and usually clear in professional or news contexts.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

Ver Preguntar Persona Trabajo Hablar

Apprends ensuite

Currículum Candidato Recursos Humanos Contratar Despedir

Avancé

Interrogar Sondear Encuestar Metodología Cuestionario

Grammaire à connaître

Personal 'A'

Entrevistar **a** Juan.

Regular -ar Verb Conjugation

Yo entrevisto, tú entrevistas, él entrevista.

Direct Object Pronouns

Lo entrevisté (I interviewed him).

Reflexive 'se' for mutual actions

Se entrevistaron (They interviewed each other/met).

Subjunctive after impersonal expressions

Es bueno que lo entrevistes.

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Exemples par niveau

Yo quiero entrevistar a mi amigo.

I want to interview my friend.

Uses the 'personal a' before 'mi amigo'.

El profesor va a entrevistar a los alumnos.

The teacher is going to interview the students.

Future 'ir a' + infinitive.

¿A quién vas a entrevistar hoy?

Who are you going to interview today?

Question word 'quién' also requires 'a'.

Ellos entrevistan a personas en la calle.

They interview people in the street.

Present tense third-person plural.

Me gusta entrevistar a gente interesante.

I like interviewing interesting people.

Infinitive used after 'gustar'.

Mañana vamos a entrevistar a un artista.

Tomorrow we are going to interview an artist.

First-person plural future.

¿Quieres entrevistar a la doctora?

Do you want to interview the doctor?

Personal 'a' before 'la doctora'.

Él necesita entrevistar a su jefe.

He needs to interview his boss.

Infinitive after 'necesita'.

Ayer entrevisté a tres candidatos para el puesto.

Yesterday I interviewed three candidates for the position.

Preterite tense first-person singular.

La periodista lo entrevistó en el parque.

The journalist interviewed him in the park.

Direct object pronoun 'lo' used instead of a name.

No pudimos entrevistar a la actriz porque estaba cansada.

We couldn't interview the actress because she was tired.

Compound verb 'pudimos' + infinitive.

Ella me entrevistó la semana pasada por teléfono.

She interviewed me last week by phone.

Direct object pronoun 'me'.

¿Ya has entrevistado a todos los vecinos?

Have you already interviewed all the neighbors?

Present perfect tense.

Nosotros entrevistamos a los abuelos para el proyecto.

We interviewed our grandparents for the project.

Preterite and Present look the same for -ar verbs in 'nosotros'.

El gerente la va a entrevistar mañana por la mañana.

The manager is going to interview her tomorrow morning.

Direct object pronoun 'la' before the verb phrase.

Ellos querían entrevistar al famoso escritor.

They wanted to interview the famous writer.

Imperfect tense 'querían' + infinitive.

Es necesario que entrevistes a más personas para el estudio.

It is necessary that you interview more people for the study.

Present subjunctive 'entrevistes' after 'es necesario que'.

Si tuviera tiempo, entrevistaría a todos los sobrevivientes.

If I had time, I would interview all the survivors.

Conditional tense 'entrevistaría'.

Me gustaría que me entrevistaran en la televisión.

I would like them to interview me on television.

Imperfect subjunctive 'entrevistaran' after 'me gustaría que'.

El presidente fue entrevistado por un medio extranjero.

The president was interviewed by a foreign media outlet.

Passive voice 'fue entrevistado'.

Dudo que el director quiera entrevistar a ese candidato.

I doubt the director wants to interview that candidate.

Subjunctive 'entrevistar' is infinitive here, but depends on 'quiera'.

Antes de entrevistar a alguien, siempre leo su currículum.

Before interviewing someone, I always read their resume.

Infinitive after the preposition 'antes de'.

Estamos entrevistando a los testigos del accidente ahora mismo.

We are interviewing the witnesses of the accident right now.

Present continuous 'estamos entrevistando'.

Ojalá que me entreviste la jefa de recursos humanos.

I hope the head of human resources interviews me.

Subjunctive 'entreviste' after 'ojalá'.

El periodista logró entrevistar al primer ministro tras meses de espera.

The journalist managed to interview the prime minister after months of waiting.

Use of 'lograr' + infinitive for achievement.

Han decidido entrevistar a los sospechosos por separado para evitar contradicciones.

They have decided to interview the suspects separately to avoid contradictions.

Present perfect + infinitive + adverb 'por separado'.

Es fundamental saber entrevistar sin sesgos para obtener datos válidos.

It is fundamental to know how to interview without bias to obtain valid data.

Infinitive used as a noun/subject of the sentence.

Si me hubieran entrevistado antes, habríamos resuelto el problema.

If they had interviewed me earlier, we would have solved the problem.

Pluperfect subjunctive 'hubieran entrevistado'.

La empresa se dedica a entrevistar a expertos en ciberseguridad.

The company is dedicated to interviewing experts in cybersecurity.

Reflexive 'se dedica a' + infinitive.

No creo que sea buena idea entrevistar al testigo en este momento.

I don't think it's a good idea to interview the witness at this moment.

Subjunctive 'sea' followed by infinitive.

Para este documental, tuvimos que entrevistar a personas de diez países.

For this documentary, we had to interview people from ten countries.

Preterite 'tuvimos que' + infinitive.

Al entrevistar a la víctima, el detective notó algo extraño en su relato.

Upon interviewing the victim, the detective noticed something strange in their story.

'Al' + infinitive meaning 'upon doing something'.

Resulta imperativo entrevistar a los líderes comunitarios antes de implementar el proyecto.

It is imperative to interview community leaders before implementing the project.

Formal construction 'Resulta imperativo'.

A pesar de su reticencia, logramos entrevistar al autor sobre su polémica obra.

Despite his reluctance, we managed to interview the author about his controversial work.

Use of 'A pesar de' and 'logramos'.

El arte de entrevistar reside en la capacidad de escuchar lo que no se dice.

The art of interviewing lies in the ability to listen to what is not said.

Infinitive used as a conceptual subject.

Se recomienda entrevistar a los participantes en un entorno neutral y seguro.

It is recommended to interview participants in a neutral and safe environment.

Impersonal 'se' construction.

Quien se encargue de entrevistar a los supervivientes debe poseer una gran empatía.

Whoever is in charge of interviewing the survivors must possess great empathy.

Relative clause 'Quien se encargue de'.

La metodología exigía entrevistar a una muestra representativa de la población urbana.

The methodology required interviewing a representative sample of the urban population.

Imperfect 'exigía' indicating a past requirement.

No es lo mismo interrogar que entrevistar, aunque a veces las líneas se desdibujen.

Questioning is not the same as interviewing, although sometimes the lines blur.

Comparison of two infinitives.

Habiendo acabado de entrevistar a los dignatarios, el reportero redactó su nota.

Having finished interviewing the dignitaries, the reporter wrote his note.

Perfect participle 'Habiendo acabado de'.

La labor de entrevistar a los últimos hablantes de lenguas en extinción es una carrera contra el tiempo.

The task of interviewing the last speakers of endangered languages is a race against time.

Complex noun phrase as subject.

Podríamos decir que el novelista se dedica a entrevistar a sus propios fantasmas interiores.

We could say that the novelist dedicates himself to interviewing his own inner ghosts.

Metaphorical use of the verb.

Entrevistar, en su sentido más puro, es un acto de reconocimiento del otro como interlocutor válido.

Interviewing, in its purest sense, is an act of recognizing the other as a valid interlocutor.

Philosophical definition using the infinitive.

No basta con entrevistar; hay que saber desentrañar las capas de discurso del entrevistado.

Interviewing is not enough; one must know how to unravel the layers of the interviewee's discourse.

Use of 'No basta con' + infinitive.

Al entrevistar a figuras de tal calado, el periodista debe mantener un equilibrio entre rigor y cortesía.

When interviewing figures of such significance, the journalist must maintain a balance between rigor and courtesy.

Formal phrase 'figuras de tal calado'.

La historia oral se nutre de la voluntad de entrevistar a aquellos que la historiografía oficial ha silenciado.

Oral history thrives on the will to interview those whom official historiography has silenced.

Subordinate clause with past participle.

Si se pretendiera entrevistar a la totalidad de la diáspora, el esfuerzo sería inabarcable.

If one were to attempt to interview the entirety of the diaspora, the effort would be insurmountable.

Hypothetical 'Si' clause with imperfect subjunctive.

Acaso entrevistar no sea sino una forma civilizada de asomarse al abismo del pensamiento ajeno.

Perhaps interviewing is nothing but a civilized way of peering into the abyss of another's thought.

Poetic use with 'no sea sino'.

Collocations courantes

entrevistar a un candidato

entrevistar en profundidad

entrevistar en exclusiva

entrevistar a un testigo

entrevistar por teléfono

entrevistar cara a cara

entrevistar a un experto

entrevistar para un puesto

entrevistar exhaustivamente

entrevistar brevemente

Phrases Courantes

Tengo que entrevistar...

— A common way to state a professional obligation to conduct an interview.

Tengo que entrevistar a dos personas hoy.

¿A quién vas a entrevistar?

— A standard question to ask someone about their interview plans.

¿A quién vas a entrevistar para el artículo?

Me van a entrevistar.

— Used when the speaker is the subject of an upcoming interview.

Mañana me van a entrevistar en la radio.

Entrevistar para el trabajo.

— Specifically referring to the job recruitment process.

Vino a la oficina para entrevistar para el trabajo.

Es difícil entrevistar a...

— Expressing the challenge of interviewing a specific person or group.

Es difícil entrevistar a políticos evasivos.

Acabo de entrevistar a...

— Used to describe an interview that just concluded.

Acabo de entrevistar a la nueva directora.

Entrevistar en vivo.

— To conduct an interview during a live broadcast.

Es emocionante entrevistar en vivo por televisión.

Entrevistar por videollamada.

— The modern practice of remote interviewing.

Ahora es común entrevistar por videollamada.

Saber entrevistar.

— Referring to the skill or art of conducting an interview.

Saber entrevistar requiere mucha práctica y paciencia.

Entrevistar a fondo.

— To conduct a very thorough and detailed interview.

Queremos entrevistar a fondo a los autores del libro.

Souvent confondu avec

entrevistar vs Interrogar

Interrogar is for police/hostile questioning; entrevistar is professional/neutral.

entrevistar vs Encuestar

Encuestar is for mass surveys; entrevistar is for individual, deep questioning.

entrevistar vs Visitar

While they share a root, visitar is just to visit, while entrevistar is specifically to ask questions.

Expressions idiomatiques

"Poner en el banquillo"

— Metaphorically 'to interview' someone in a way that feels like an interrogation or trial.

Los periodistas pusieron al ministro en el banquillo durante la entrevista.

Colloquial

"Sacar las palabras con fórceps"

— To interview someone who is very reluctant to speak, making it very difficult.

Fue difícil entrevistarlo; tuve que sacarle las palabras con fórceps.

Colloquial

"Hacer un tercer grado"

— To interview someone so intensely it feels like a police interrogation.

Mi madre me hizo un tercer grado cuando llegué tarde.

Informal

"Dar juego"

— When an interviewee is easy to interview because they provide interesting answers.

Ese actor siempre da mucho juego cuando lo entrevistan.

Media/Journalism

"Quedarse en blanco"

— When an interviewer or interviewee forgets what to say during the process.

Me quedé en blanco mientras me estaban entrevistando.

Neutral

"Soltar la lengua"

— To get someone to speak freely during an interview.

Después de un café, el testigo soltó la lengua al entrevistarlo.

Informal

"Ir al grano"

— To get straight to the point during an interview without small talk.

En la entrevista, el gerente fue directo al grano.

Neutral

"Tirar de la manta"

— To interview someone in a way that leads to a big revelation or scandal.

El periodista espera que el ex-empleado tire de la manta al entrevistarlo.

Colloquial/Journalism

"Andarse por las ramas"

— When an interviewee avoids answering questions directly.

El político se anduvo por las ramas durante toda la entrevista.

Neutral

"Cerrar filas"

— When a group refuses to be interviewed or speak to the press.

La empresa cerró filas y nadie quiso dejarse entrevistar.

Formal/Media

Facile à confondre

entrevistar vs Entrevista

Noun vs. Verb.

Entrevista is the meeting itself (the noun); entrevistar is the action of conducting it (the verb).

Tengo una entrevista (noun) porque me van a entrevistar (verb).

entrevistar vs Intervistar

Spelling error.

Intervistar is not a word in Spanish. People confuse it with English 'interview'.

Incorrect: 'Quiero intervistar'. Correct: 'Quiero entrevistar'.

entrevistar vs Entrevistarse

Active vs. Reflexive.

Entrevistar is 'to interview someone'; entrevistarse con is 'to have an interview with someone'.

Voy a entrevistar al jefe (I interview him) vs. Me voy a entrevistar con el jefe (We meet for an interview).

entrevistar vs Consultar

Seeking information.

Consultar is to ask for advice or check a source; entrevistar is a structured dialogue.

Consulto el libro, pero entrevisto al autor.

entrevistar vs Interrogar

Similar meaning.

Interrogar implies a lack of choice for the person being questioned; entrevistar is usually voluntary.

La policía interroga al ladrón; el periodista entrevista al héroe.

Structures de phrases

Yo voy a entrevistar a [Persona].

Yo voy a entrevistar a mi mamá.

Ayer [Sujeto] entrevistó a [Persona].

Ayer el jefe entrevistó a Pedro.

Espero que me entrevisten para el [Puesto].

Espero que me entrevisten para el puesto de guía.

Al entrevistar a [Persona], me di cuenta de [Hecho].

Al entrevistar a la actriz, me di cuenta de su talento.

Resulta fundamental entrevistar a [Grupo] para [Objetivo].

Resulta fundamental entrevistar a los expertos para validar la tesis.

No es sino mediante el acto de entrevistar que se logra [Abstracción].

No es sino mediante el acto de entrevistar que se logra la verdadera empatía.

Mixed

Si pudiera, le gustaría entrevistar a [Famoso].

Si pudiera, le gustaría entrevistar a Messi.

Mixed

Tengo el placer de entrevistar a [Invitado].

Tengo el placer de entrevistar a nuestro invitado especial.

Famille de mots

Noms

Entrevista (Interview)

Entrevistador (Interviewer - male)

Entrevistadora (Interviewer - female)

Entrevistado (Interviewee - male)

Entrevistada (Interviewee - female)

Verbes

Entrevistarse (To meet for an interview/to have an interview)

Adjectifs

Entrevistado (Interviewed)

Entrevistable (Interviewable - rare but used)

Apparenté

Vista (View)

Visitar (To visit)

Revisar (To review)

Prever (To foresee)

Vistazo (Glance)

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

High in professional and media contexts.

Erreurs courantes

Entrevistar el candidato. → Entrevistar al candidato.
Missing the 'personal a' required for human direct objects.
Yo quiero intervistar. → Yo quiero entrevistar.
Misspelling based on the English word 'interview'.
Me entrevisté el jefe. → Me entrevisté con el jefe.
The reflexive 'entrevistarse' requires the preposition 'con'.
La policía entrevistó al criminal por 5 horas. → La policía interrogó al criminal por 5 horas.
In a criminal context, 'interrogar' is more accurate than 'entrevistar'.
Espero que el gerente me entrevista. → Espero que el gerente me entreviste.
Failure to use the subjunctive mood after 'espero que'.

Astuces

Don't Forget the 'A'

It's the most common mistake. Always say 'entrevistar a...' when a person follows.

Agent Nouns

Learn 'entrevistador' and 'entrevistado' together with the verb to complete the word family.

Soft 'V'

Remember the Spanish 'v' is soft and sounds like a 'b'. Don't bite your lip!

Professional Tone

Use this verb in resumes and LinkedIn to describe your experience conducting interviews.

Media Literacy

When watching news, listen for how often anchors use this verb to introduce segments.

Entrevistarse con

Use the reflexive form 'entrevistarse con' to sound more humble or mutual in professional meetings.

Entrevistar vs Interrogar

Be careful not to use 'interrogar' for a job interview; it sounds too aggressive.

Adverbial Pairing

Pair 'entrevistar' with adverbs like 'brevemente' or 'detalladamente' for more precise writing.

Podcast Practice

Listen to Spanish podcasts. The host will almost always use this verb in the introduction.

Regionalisms

While 'entrevistar' is universal, casual alternatives like 'platicar' vary by country.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of 'ENTRE' (Enter) + 'VISTA' (Vision). You 'Enter' someone's 'Vision' to ask them questions. Or think: 'Entre' (between) + 'Vistar' (to visit/view). An interview is a visit between two views.

Association visuelle

Imagine two people sitting 'ENTRE' (between) two windows with a 'VISTA' (view), talking with microphones.

Word Web

Trabajo Periodismo Preguntas Respuestas Candidato Micrófono Grabadora Currículum

Défi

Try to use 'entrevistar' in three sentences today: one about a job, one about a celebrity, and one about a friend. Don't forget the 'personal a'!

Origine du mot

From the Spanish prefix 'entre-' (between) and the verb 'vistar' (to view/see), which comes from 'vista' (sight/view). It is a calque of the French word 'entrevoir' or 'entrevue'.

Sens originel : Literally 'to see each other' or 'to have a glimpse of each other between two points'.

Romance (Latin roots: 'inter' + 'videre').

Contexte culturel

When interviewing someone from a different Spanish-speaking culture, be aware of the 'tú' vs 'usted' distinction. Generally, start with 'usted' unless invited otherwise.

In English, 'interview' is used both as a noun and a verb. Spanish distinguishes clearly between 'entrevista' (noun) and 'entrevistar' (verb).

The 'Entrevista de Guayaquil' (1822) between San Martín and Bolívar, a pivotal moment in South American history. The famous interviews by journalist Oriana Fallaci with world leaders. Late-night talk shows like 'El Hormiguero' in Spain, famous for how they 'entrevistar' celebrities.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Job Search

Me van a entrevistar mañana.
¿Quién me va a entrevistar?
Tengo que entrevistar a los candidatos.
La entrevista fue muy bien.

Journalism

Quiero entrevistar al autor.
El periodista entrevistó al testigo.
Vamos a entrevistar en vivo.
Es una exclusiva para entrevistar.

Research

Debemos entrevistar a los expertos.
Voy a entrevistar a la muestra.
Es una técnica para entrevistar.
Terminé de entrevistar a los sujetos.

Police/Legal

Necesitan entrevistar al sospechoso.
Van a entrevistar a los vecinos.
El detective entrevistó a la víctima.
Procederán a entrevistar a los testigos.

Education

Entrevistar a un compañero.
¿Puedo entrevistar al director?
Tarea: entrevistar a un familiar.
Aprendimos a entrevistar hoy.

Amorces de conversation

"¿Alguna vez te ha tocado entrevistar a alguien para un trabajo?"

"Si pudieras entrevistar a cualquier persona famosa, ¿a quién elegirías?"

"¿Qué es lo más difícil de entrevistar a una persona que no quiere hablar?"

"¿Prefieres entrevistar a la gente en persona o por videollamada?"

"¿Crees que es necesario estudiar para saber cómo entrevistar bien?"

Sujets d'écriture

Describe una vez que tuviste que entrevistar a alguien. ¿Cómo te sentiste?

Escribe sobre la persona que más te gustaría entrevistar y por qué.

¿Qué preguntas harías si tuvieras que entrevistar al presidente de tu país?

Reflexiona sobre la diferencia entre entrevistar a un amigo y a un extraño.

Imagina que eres un periodista famoso. ¿A quién vas a entrevistar hoy?

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

Yes, if you are interviewing a person or a group of people. This is the 'personal a'. Example: 'Entrevistar a María'.

'Entrevistar' is active (you do it to someone). 'Entrevistarse con' means to have an interview with someone, often used when you are the candidate.

Yes, it is a completely regular -ar verb in all tenses. It follows the same pattern as 'hablar' or 'cantar'.

No, it's better to use 'charlar' or 'platicar' for informal conversations. 'Entrevistar' implies a formal structure.

You say 'entrevistador' for a male and 'entrevistadora' for a female.

The noun is 'la entrevista'.

You can say 'Fui entrevistado' (if you are male) or 'Fui entrevistada' (if you are female).

No, you interview people. For a book, you would use 'revisar', 'leer', or 'analizar'.

There isn't one exact word, but 'ignorar' (to ignore) or 'evadir' (to evade) are conceptual opposites.

Yes, it is the standard word used across all Spanish-speaking countries for formal interviews.

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