面接

• Reading: めんせつ
• Romaji: mensetsu
• Kanji breakdown: 面 (men) — face, surface; 接 (setsu) — contact, touch, adjoin
• Pronunciation: /me.ɴ.se.tsɯ/

Meaning

Interview; face-to-face meeting. Typically a job interview or entrance examination interview.

Functions as a noun or する verb (面接する). Most commonly refers to job interviews, but also applies to school entrance interviews. Japanese job interviews are known for their formality, with strict etiquette around bowing, seating, and speech level.

Examples

1. 明日、会社の面接があります。 I have a job interview at a company tomorrow.
2. 面接でとても緊張しました。 I was really nervous during the interview.
3. スーツを着て面接に行きました。 I wore a suit to the interview.

Usage Guide

Context: job hunting, school admissions, formal evaluations

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 面 (men, face/surface) and 接 (setsu, contact/touch). Literally means to meet face-to-face.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal