interview
A formal meeting at which someone is asked questions.
An interview is a structured dialogue where one person asks questions to gather information or assess a candidate.
Word in 30 Seconds
- A formal conversation to obtain information.
- Commonly used in journalism and recruitment.
- Often interchangeable with the French word entretien.
Summary
An interview is a structured dialogue where one person asks questions to gather information or assess a candidate.
- A formal conversation to obtain information.
- Commonly used in journalism and recruitment.
- Often interchangeable with the French word entretien.
Gender agreement for interview
Remember that even though it sounds like an English word, it is feminine in French. Always use 'une' or 'la' before it.
Avoid the word interrogatoire
Never use 'interrogatoire' for a job interview or a press talk. This word implies a police investigation or a hostile questioning.
French preference for entretien
In professional HR settings, French speakers prefer 'entretien d'embauche' over 'interview d'embauche'. It sounds more professional and native.
Examples
4 of 4J'ai lu une interview intéressante dans le journal.
I read an interesting interview in the newspaper.
Le candidat a réussi son entretien d'embauche.
The candidate passed his job interview.
T'as vu l'interview de la star hier soir ?
Did you see the star's interview last night?
Les chercheurs mènent des interviews qualitatives.
Researchers conduct qualitative interviews.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of the 'view' at the end of 'interview' as a 'view' into someone's thoughts. Since it's a French word ending in 'e' (almost), remember it is feminine (une).
Aperçu
Le mot 'interview' est un anglicisme très courant en français, emprunté au début du XXe siècle. Bien que l'Académie française recommande parfois le terme 'entretien', 'interview' est largement utilisé dans le langage courant, le journalisme et le monde professionnel.
Modèles d'utilisation
On utilise principalement le verbe 'interviewer' pour désigner l'action de poser des questions. Grammaticalement, le mot est féminin ('une interview'). On l'utilise souvent avec des verbes comme 'donner', 'accorder', 'faire' ou 'subir' (dans le cas d'un entretien d'embauche).
Contextes courants
Le contexte le plus fréquent est celui du journalisme (interviews de personnalités, de politiciens). Il est également utilisé pour les entretiens de recrutement ('entretien d'embauche'), bien que dans ce cas précis, le mot 'entretien' soit plus formellement correct. On parle aussi d'interview dans le cadre de la recherche sociologique ou universitaire.
Comparaison de mots similaires
'Entretien' est le synonyme le plus proche. Il est plus polyvalent et formel. 'Audition' est utilisé dans un cadre très spécifique (musique, théâtre ou procédure judiciaire). 'Interrogatoire' possède une connotation négative liée à la police ou à la justice, impliquant une pression sur la personne interrogée, contrairement à l'interview qui est censée être un échange volontaire.
Usage Notes
The word is feminine. It is widely accepted in all registers but tends to be replaced by 'entretien' in very formal professional settings. In journalism, 'interview' remains the standard term.
Common Mistakes
The most common error is using the masculine article 'un' instead of 'une'. Another mistake is using 'interrogatoire' in professional contexts where it sounds overly aggressive.
Memory Tip
Think of the 'view' at the end of 'interview' as a 'view' into someone's thoughts. Since it's a French word ending in 'e' (almost), remember it is feminine (une).
Word Origin
The word is a direct borrowing from the English 'interview', which itself comes from the French 'entrevoir' (to catch a glimpse of). It entered the French language in the late 19th century.
Cultural Context
In France, the concept of the 'interview' is central to the political landscape, where politicians are frequently grilled by journalists. It is also a standard part of the French recruitment process, heavily influenced by corporate practices.
Examples
J'ai lu une interview intéressante dans le journal.
everydayI read an interesting interview in the newspaper.
Le candidat a réussi son entretien d'embauche.
formalThe candidate passed his job interview.
T'as vu l'interview de la star hier soir ?
informalDid you see the star's interview last night?
Les chercheurs mènent des interviews qualitatives.
academicResearchers conduct qualitative interviews.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
Donner une interview
To give an interview
En pleine interview
In the middle of an interview
Une interview télévisée
A televised interview
Often Confused With
Entretien is broader and more formal, used for jobs, maintenance, or serious discussions. Interview is specifically for media or information gathering.
Interrogatoire refers to a police or legal questioning process. It carries a negative connotation of pressure.
Grammar Patterns
Gender agreement for interview
Remember that even though it sounds like an English word, it is feminine in French. Always use 'une' or 'la' before it.
Avoid the word interrogatoire
Never use 'interrogatoire' for a job interview or a press talk. This word implies a police investigation or a hostile questioning.
French preference for entretien
In professional HR settings, French speakers prefer 'entretien d'embauche' over 'interview d'embauche'. It sounds more professional and native.
Test Yourself
Complétez la phrase suivante :
La journaliste a accordé ___ exclusive au magazine.
Le mot interview est féminin.
Quel verbe convient le mieux ?
Le recruteur va ___ le candidat demain matin.
Interviewer est le verbe spécifique dérivé du nom.
Remettez dans l'ordre :
une / intéressante / j'ai / écouté / interview
Structure SVO classique en français.
Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsNon, le mot 'interview' est toujours féminin en français. Il faut donc dire 'une interview'.
Les deux sont synonymes, mais 'entretien' est plus formel et plus large. 'Interview' est spécifiquement lié au monde des médias.
On utilise le verbe 'interviewer' ou l'expression 'mener une interview'. Vous pouvez aussi dire 'faire passer un entretien'.
Oui, il est parfaitement admis, bien que dans un contexte très soutenu, 'entretien' soit souvent privilégié.
This Word in Other Languages
Related Grammar Rules
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