interviewer

The French verb interviewer is a fascinating example of a linguistic loanword, or an 'anglicisme,' that has been fully integrated into the French language. At its core, it means to conduct an interview, typically in a professional, journalistic, or recruitment context. While the word looks identical to the English 'interview,' its usage as a verb in French follows the strict rules of the first-group regular verbs (ending in -er). This means it is conjugated just like 'parler' or 'aimer,' making it relatively easy for English speakers to master once they understand the phonetic shifts. In the modern Francophone world, you will encounter this word across all forms of media, from traditional newspapers like Le Monde to digital platforms and podcasts. It specifically refers to the act performed by the person asking the questions. If you are the one being questioned, you wouldn't use 'interviewer' to describe your own action; instead, you might say you are 'passant un entretien' or being 'interviewé' (the passive form).

Journalistic Context

In journalism, 'interviewer' is the standard term for a reporter questioning a subject. It implies a structured conversation intended for public broadcast or publication. For example, 'Le journaliste doit interviewer le ministre' (The journalist must interview the minister). It carries a sense of professional inquiry and documentation.

Professional/HR Context

In the corporate world, specifically within Human Resources (les ressources humaines), 'interviewer' is used when a hiring manager or recruiter evaluates a candidate. While 'faire passer un entretien' is also very common, 'interviewer des candidats' is perfectly acceptable and widely used in modern office environments, especially in multinational companies based in Paris or Montreal.

Interestingly, the word 'interviewer' is often preferred in modern French over older terms like 'interroger' when the context is media-related. 'Interroger' can sometimes sound like a police interrogation or a strict classroom questioning, whereas 'interviewer' suggests a collaborative, though structured, exchange of information. However, purists of the French language (like the Académie Française) sometimes suggest using 'entretenir' or 'interroger,' but in daily life, 'interviewer' has won the battle for common usage. When using this word, remember that it is a transitive verb, meaning it takes a direct object. You interview *someone* (interviewer quelqu'un). You don't need a preposition like 'à' or 'de' after the verb, which simplifies its application in sentences.

Social Media and Content Creation

With the rise of YouTube and TikTok in France, 'interviewer' has seen a surge in usage among younger generations. Content creators often 'interviewent' other influencers or experts. This has solidified the word's place as the primary term for any recorded Q&A session.

In summary, use 'interviewer' when you are the one asking the questions for an article, a broadcast, or a job opening. It is a modern, versatile, and highly useful verb that bridges the gap between English and French professional terminology. Its regular conjugation makes it a safe bet for learners at any level, providing a familiar anchor in the often complex world of French verbs.

Using the verb interviewer correctly involves understanding its conjugation as a regular '-er' verb and its role as a transitive verb. Because it is a first-group verb, it follows the most common conjugation pattern in French, which is a relief for many learners. Whether you are speaking in the present, past, or future, the endings remain consistent with other common verbs like 'travailler' or 'étudier'.

Present Tense (Le Présent)

In the present tense, you simply drop the '-er' and add the standard endings: -e, -es, -e, -ons, -ez, -ent. For example: 'J'interviewe un témoin' (I am interviewing a witness). 'Nous interviewons le maire' (We are interviewing the mayor). Note that the 'w' remains in the spelling, which is quite rare for French verbs.

When moving to the past tense, specifically the passé composé, 'interviewer' uses the auxiliary verb 'avoir'. The past participle is 'interviewé'. This is the form you will use to describe completed actions. 'J'ai interviewé' (I interviewed/I have interviewed). If you are using it in a passive sense or with a direct object pronoun that precedes the verb, remember the rules of agreement: 'La femme que j'ai interviewée' (The woman I interviewed) requires an extra 'e'.

Future Tense (Le Futur Simple)

To talk about future plans, add the future endings to the infinitive: 'interviewer-ai', 'interviewer-as', etc. 'Demain, j'interviewerai le chef de cuisine' (Tomorrow, I will interview the head chef). This is very common in professional scheduling.

In more complex sentences, 'interviewer' often appears in the infinitive form following another verb. For instance, 'Je voudrais interviewer...' (I would like to interview...) or 'Il est difficile d'interviewer...' (It is difficult to interview...). This structure is very common in polite requests or when discussing the challenges of journalism. Remember that when two verbs follow each other, the second one is always in the infinitive.

Finally, consider the reflexive form, though rare, 's'interviewer' could theoretically be used in a context of self-reflection or a mock interview, but it is much more common to see the noun 'interview' or 'entretien' in those cases. Stick to the active form for 99% of your needs. Mastering 'interviewer' gives you a powerful tool for discussing media, work, and social interactions in a modern French context.

The word interviewer is ubiquitous in French daily life, particularly if you consume any form of media. If you turn on the television to watch the evening news (le journal télévisé or 'le JT') on channels like TF1 or France 2, you will frequently hear the anchor say, 'Nous allons maintenant interviewer notre envoyé spécial' (We are now going to interview our special correspondent) or 'J'ai eu l'occasion d'interviewer le Premier ministre'. It is the standard professional term for these high-stakes conversations.

Radio and Podcasts

Radio stations like France Inter or RTL are hotbeds for the verb 'interviewer'. Morning talk shows are centered around 'l'invité du matin' (the morning guest). The host will often introduce the segment by saying, 'Nous recevons aujourd'hui X, que nous allons interviewer sur son dernier livre'. In the growing world of French-language podcasts, 'interviewer' is the go-to verb for describing the format of the show.

In the corporate environment, you'll hear this word during the hiring season. Managers might discuss their schedule saying, 'Je dois interviewer trois personnes cet après-midi' (I have to interview three people this afternoon). While the noun 'entretien' is used for the meeting itself, the action of conducting it is frequently described with 'interviewer'. It sounds professional and direct.

Cultural events are another prime location for this verb. At the Cannes Film Festival, journalists from around the world gather to 'interviewer' directors and actors. You'll see this word in headlines: 'Comment interviewer une légende du cinéma ?' (How to interview a cinema legend?). It carries an air of prestige in these contexts.

Finally, on social media platforms like YouTube, French creators often use 'interviewer' in their titles to attract viewers interested in deep dives or 'storytimes'. A title like 'J'ai interviewé un ancien agent secret' (I interviewed a former secret agent) is a classic example of how the word is used to generate intrigue and promise high-quality content. Whether in a formal studio or a casual home setup, 'interviewer' remains the definitive term for the act of questioning for an audience.

While interviewer seems straightforward because of its English roots, English speakers often fall into several traps when using it in French. The first and most common mistake is related to pronunciation. English speakers tend to pronounce the 'w' and the 'view' part exactly as they do in English. In French, the 'in-' is a nasal sound /ɛ̃/, and the 'view' part is more compressed, often sounding like /vju/. The final '-er' must be a clear /e/ sound. Avoid saying 'inter-view-er' with an English 'r' at the end.

Mistaking the Subject and Object

A frequent error is using 'interviewer' when you are the one being interviewed. If you have a job interview, you do NOT say 'Je vais interviewer pour un job'. That would mean you are the boss! Instead, say 'Je vais passer un entretien' or 'Je vais être interviewé'. 'Interviewer' is an active verb for the person asking the questions.

Another common mistake is the confusion with the verb 'interroger'. While they are similar, 'interroger' is more general and can sometimes sound aggressive or academic. You 'interroger' a student in class or 'interroger' a suspect in a crime. If you use 'interroger' for a celebrity, it might sound like you're grilling them for a crime rather than asking about their new movie. Stick to 'interviewer' for media and professional profiles.

Finally, be careful with the past participle agreement. In the sentence 'Les candidates que j'ai interviewées sont compétentes,' the past participle 'interviewées' must agree with 'les candidates' because the direct object comes before the verb. Many learners forget this rule, especially with verbs that look like English loanwords. Treat 'interviewer' with the same grammatical respect as 'manger' or 'chanter'.

Lastly, avoid using 'interviewer' for casual chats. If you are just talking to a friend to get information, use 'discuter avec' or 'poser des questions'. 'Interviewer' implies a level of formality and usually a recording or note-taking process. Using it for a casual coffee chat might make you sound like you're secretly a journalist!

While interviewer is the most direct translation for 'to interview' in a media or business context, French offers several alternatives that carry different nuances. Understanding these can help you sound more like a native speaker and choose the right level of formality for the situation.

Interroger

This is the most common synonym. It means 'to question' or 'to interrogate'. It is broader than 'interviewer'. You can 'interroger' a database, a student, or a witness. It lacks the specific 'media/professional' connotation of 'interviewer'. Ex: La police interroge le témoin.

S'entretenir avec

This is a more formal and elegant way to say 'to have a discussion with' or 'to interview'. It implies a mutual exchange and is often used in high-level diplomatic or professional contexts. Ex: Le président s'est entretenu avec son homologue.

Questionner

Very similar to 'interroger', but often feels slightly less formal. It simply means to ask questions. Ex: Il a questionné ses parents sur leur passé.

In a recruitment context, you will often hear the phrase faire passer un entretien. While 'interviewer' is the action of the person, 'faire passer un entretien' is the full phrase for 'to conduct an interview'. Conversely, the candidate passe un entretien. This distinction is crucial for clarity in a business environment. If you say 'Je vais interviewer,' people expect you to be the one holding the clipboard.

For investigative work, you might use 'cuisiner' (slang/informal) which means to 'grill' someone or 'enquête sur'. However, 'interviewer' remains the most respectful and professional term. In summary, use 'interviewer' for media and hiring, 'interroger' for general questioning, and 's'entretenir avec' for formal discussions. This variety allows you to navigate different social strata in France with ease.