साक्षात्कार करना

The Hindi verb साक्षात्कार करना (sākshātkār karnā) is a formal and sophisticated term that primarily translates to "to interview" or "to hold a formal meeting." While in casual conversation, many Hindi speakers might use the English loanword 'Interview' or the Urdu-origin word 'Mulakat' (meeting), sākshātkār karnā belongs to the 'Shuddh' (pure) or formal register of Hindi. It is most commonly encountered in professional, academic, and journalistic contexts. When a manager assesses a candidate for a job, they are performing a sākshātkār. When a journalist questions a politician on television to extract information or opinions, this is also a sākshātkār. The word itself is a compound verb, where 'sākshātkār' acts as the noun component (meaning 'vision' or 'direct perception') and 'karnā' is the light verb (meaning 'to do'). Historically, in a spiritual context, it referred to having a 'direct vision' of a deity, but in modern usage, it has been standardized to mean a face-to-face formal evaluation or conversation.

Professional Context

Used in HR departments and recruitment agencies to describe the formal evaluation of candidates. Example: 'The committee will interview the applicants tomorrow.'

Beyond employment, this term is vital in the world of media. A high-profile celebrity sitting down with a magazine editor is engaging in a sākshātkār. In this sense, it implies a structured dialogue where one party asks questions and the other provides insights. It is rarely used for a casual hangout with friends; using it in such a context would sound overly stiff or even humorous. The term carries a weight of authority and seriousness. If you are preparing for a competitive civil service exam in India (like the UPSC), the final stage is often referred to as the sākshātkār stage, highlighting its importance in one's career trajectory. Understanding this word helps learners navigate formal documents, news broadcasts, and high-level business environments where clarity and formal etiquette are paramount.

Media Usage

Commonly used in news headlines when a journalist speaks with a public figure. 'Journalist ne mantri ka sākshātkār kiya' (The journalist interviewed the minister).

In contemporary India, while 'interview' is widely understood, using sākshātkār karnā demonstrates a high level of linguistic proficiency and respect for the Hindi language. It is the standard term used in government notifications and official circulars. For instance, if you receive an official letter for a government job, it will likely state the date for your 'sākshātkār'. The verb also appears in academic research, where scholars 'interview' subjects for qualitative studies. In these settings, the word implies a systematic and methodical approach to conversation, distinguishing it from 'baat-cheet' (talk) or 'gupshup' (gossip). By mastering this term, you align yourself with the formal and professional standards of Hindi communication.

Using साक्षात्कार करना (sākshātkār karnā) correctly requires an understanding of Hindi's compound verb structure and the use of the genitive case. The most important grammatical rule to remember is that the person being interviewed is usually marked with the postposition का (ka), की (ki), or के (ke). This is because you are literally 'doing the interview of' someone. For example, to say 'I will interview the candidate,' you would say 'Main pratyashi ka sākshātkār karunga.' Here, the noun 'sākshātkār' is masculine, so 'ka' is used. If you were to use a different noun, the possessive marker might change, but for this specific verb, 'ka' is the standard for the object.

Transitive Nature

This is a transitive verb phrase. In the past tense, when using the 'Ne' construction, the verb 'karnā' will agree with 'sākshātkār' (which is masculine singular), not the subject. Example: 'Usne mera sākshātkār kiya' (He interviewed me).

The verb can be conjugated across all tenses. In the present continuous, it becomes 'sākshātkār kar raha hoon' (I am interviewing). In the future, 'sākshātkār karunga' (I will interview). Because 'sākshātkār' is a noun that means 'interview,' you can also use it in the passive voice or as a subject. For example, 'Sākshātkār kal hoga' (The interview will happen tomorrow). However, when you want to express the action of *conducting* the interview, karnā is essential. It is also common to see the word 'lena' (to take) used synonymously in this context: 'sākshātkār lena'. While 'karnā' emphasizes the act of conducting/doing, 'lena' emphasizes the act of taking or receiving the interview responses. Both are acceptable in formal Hindi, but 'karnā' is slightly more formal.

Future Tense

Used for scheduling. 'Agle hafte hum panch logon ka sākshātkār karenge' (Next week we will interview five people).

Another important aspect is the level of formality. If you are the one being interviewed, you would usually say 'Mera sākshātkār hai' (I have an interview) or 'Mujhe sākshātkār ke liye bulaya gaya hai' (I have been called for an interview). You would not use 'sākshātkār karnā' for yourself unless you are the interviewer. This distinction is crucial for learners to avoid sounding like they are the ones conducting the meeting when they are actually the applicant. Furthermore, in highly formal writing, you might see 'sākshātkār ayojit karnā' (to organize an interview), which adds another layer of professional distance. Whether you are writing a formal email, a news report, or preparing for a job in a Hindi-speaking environment, mastering the sentence patterns of sākshātkār karnā will ensure your speech is both accurate and respected.

You are most likely to encounter साक्षात्कार करना (sākshātkār karnā) in environments where standard or formal Hindi is the norm. One of the most common places is on public service broadcasters like Doordarshan or in high-quality Hindi newspapers like 'Dainik Jagran' or 'Navbharat Times'. In these media outlets, journalists don't just 'talk' to people; they conduct a sākshātkār. You will hear it in the introductory remarks of a news segment: 'Aaj hum desh ke raksha mantri ka sākshātkār karenge' (Today we will interview the country's Defense Minister). This sets a tone of serious inquiry and professional journalism.

News & Media

Standard terminology for televised or printed interviews with experts, politicians, or artists.

In the corporate world of North India, while English is prevalent, formal HR communications often use Hindi for official purposes, especially in government-owned enterprises (PSUs) or when recruiting for positions that require Hindi proficiency. If you attend a recruitment drive in a city like Lucknow, Bhopal, or Delhi, the officials will refer to the 'sākshātkār kaksh' (interview room). In these settings, hearing the word signals that the informal part of the day is over and the formal evaluation has begun. It is also a staple in the education sector. University admissions for PhD programs or faculty positions always involve a sākshātkār. Professors might say, 'Humne aaj dus shodh-kartaon ka sākshātkār kiya' (We interviewed ten researchers today).

Government Offices

Used in all official documentation regarding appointments and promotions.

Literary circles also frequently use this term. When a new book is released, literary festivals like the Jaipur Literature Festival will feature a 'sākshātkār' with the author. Here, it isn't just a Q&A session; it is seen as an intellectual engagement. You will find transcripts of such interviews in literary magazines like 'Hans' or 'Pahal'. Even in the digital age, Hindi podcasts and YouTube channels that focus on intellectual content or 'UPSC preparation' use sākshātkār karnā to describe their long-form conversations. In summary, if the conversation is planned, formal, and intended for an audience or evaluation, sākshātkār karnā is the word you will hear.

One of the most frequent errors learners make with साक्षात्कार करना (sākshātkār karnā) is related to the direction of the action. Because the word is often associated with the job-seeking process, learners sometimes say 'Main sākshātkār kar raha hoon' to mean 'I am being interviewed.' In Hindi, this actually means 'I am the interviewer conducting the interview.' If you are the candidate, you should say 'Mera sākshātkār ho raha hai' (My interview is happening) or 'Main sākshātkār de raha hoon' (I am giving an interview). Confusing these two can lead to significant misunderstandings in a professional setting.

Postposition Error

Mistakenly using 'se' (with) instead of 'ka' (of). Incorrect: 'Main usse sākshātkār karunga.' Correct: 'Main uska sākshātkār karunga.'

Another common pitfall is the gender agreement of the verb in the past tense. Since 'sākshātkār' is a masculine noun, the verb 'karnā' in the perfective aspect (with 'ne') will always take the masculine form 'kiya', regardless of the gender of the subject or the person being interviewed. For example, a female interviewer would say 'Maine uska sākshātkār kiya,' not 'kiyi'. This is a nuance of Hindi grammar where the verb agrees with the noun component of the compound verb if that noun is treated as the direct object. Learners often forget this and try to make the verb agree with themselves or the interviewee.

Register Mismatch

Using this word in a casual setting like 'I interviewed my friend about his weekend.' This sounds unnaturally formal. Use 'puchhna' (to ask) or 'baat karna' (to talk) instead.

Lastly, many students struggle with the spelling of 'sākshātkār'. The presence of the conjunct 'ksh' (क्ष) and the long 'ā' vowels can be tricky. Writing 'sakshatkar' (with short 'a') is a common spelling error. In Hindi, vowel length changes the rhythm and sometimes the meaning of the word. Practice writing the word slowly: सा (sā) + क्शा (kshā) + त्का (tkā) + र (r). By avoiding these common grammatical and contextual errors, you will be able to use this high-level vocabulary word with the confidence of a native speaker.

While साक्षात्कार करना (sākshātkār karnā) is the most formal term, Hindi offers several alternatives depending on the context and the desired level of formality. The most common alternative is the English loanword इंटरव्यू (Interview). In modern urban Hindi, you will often hear 'Interview dena' (to give an interview) or 'Interview lena' (to take/conduct an interview). This is perfectly acceptable in most business settings and casual conversations. However, in written reports or formal speeches, sākshātkār remains the preferred choice.

Mulakat (मुलाकात)

A more general word for 'meeting'. While an interview is a type of 'mulakat', this word is less specific and can be used for social visits as well. It has a poetic and warm connotation.

Another formal alternative is भेंट करना (bhent karnā). This literally means 'to meet' or 'to present oneself'. It is often used when meeting someone of high status, such as a dignitary or a religious leader. While sākshātkār implies a structured question-answer format, bhent is more about the act of meeting and paying respects. In journalistic contexts, you might see 'Bhent-varta', which combines 'meeting' and 'conversation' to mean an interview. For more academic or investigative contexts, the word पूछताछ करना (pūchhtāchh karnā) is used, but be careful—this usually means 'to interrogate' or 'to inquire', often used by the police or in a more aggressive investigation.