Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'interview'

English Word: interview

Key Russian Translations:

• интервью /ɪnʲtʲɛrʲˈvju/ - [Formal, Used in media or journalistic contexts]
• собеседование /səbʲɪsʲɪdəvəˈnʲije/ - [Formal, Used in professional or job-related contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in everyday conversations, media, and professional settings, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate level; requires understanding of noun declensions and contextual usage, with "интервью" being slightly easier due to its borrowed nature, while "собеседование" may vary to B2 for full mastery).

Pronunciation (Russian):

интервью: /ɪnʲtʲɛrʲˈvju/

Note on интервью: The stress is on the third syllable; be mindful of the soft sign (ʲ) which softens the preceding consonant, a common feature in Russian phonetics. Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech.

собеседование: /səbʲɪsʲɪdəvəˈnʲije/

Note on собеседование: Stress falls on the fourth syllable; the word includes palatalization (ʲ), which can be challenging for learners. Avoid over-emphasizing vowels in informal speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A formal meeting to assess suitability for a job or position

Translation(s) & Context:

• собеседование - Used in professional settings like job applications, often in formal or business contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Я нервничаю перед собеседованием на новую работу.

  I'm nervous before the interview for the new job.

• Собеседование прошло успешно, и мне предложили должность.

  The interview went well, and they offered me the position.

• Подготовьтесь к собеседованию, изучив вопросы о вашем опыте.

  Prepare for the interview by studying questions about your experience.

• Во время собеседования важно поддерживать зрительный контакт.

  During the interview, it's important to maintain eye contact.

Meaning 2: A conversation where questions are asked, often for media or research purposes

Translation(s) & Context:

• интервью - Commonly used in journalistic, entertainment, or informal media contexts, such as TV shows or articles.

Usage Examples:

• Журналист взял интервью у известного актёра на фестивале.

  The journalist conducted an interview with the famous actor at the festival.

• Интервью с президентом было показано по телевидению.

  The interview with the president was broadcast on television.

• Во время интервью она поделилась своими мыслями о будущем.

  During the interview, she shared her thoughts about the future.

• Я дал интервью для газеты о моих путешествиях.

  I gave an interview to the newspaper about my travels.

• Интервью с экспертом помогло понять сложную тему.

  The interview with the expert helped to understand the complex topic.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are nouns. "Интервью" is a neuter noun that follows the standard declension pattern for loanwords, while "Собеседование" is a neuter noun with regular inflection. Below is a table outlining their key inflections:

Note: "Интервью" has limited inflection due to its foreign origin and is often invariable in plural forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • интервью - беседа (conversation; more general and informal)
  • собеседование - отбор (selection; implies a competitive process)
• Antonyms:
  • For интервью: монолог (monologue; a one-sided speech)
  • For собеседование: отказ (refusal; in the context of not getting the job)

Related Phrases:

• Взять интервью - To conduct an interview (literally: to take an interview).
• Подготовиться к собеседованию - To prepare for an interview (common in job contexts).
• Пройти собеседование - To pass an interview (meaning to succeed in it).
• Интервью по телефону - Phone interview (a modern, remote variant).

Usage Notes:

• Choose "интервью" for media-related contexts, as it directly mirrors the English word and is often used in borrowed phrases like "live interview." It's more neutral and widely understood.
• Use "собеседование" in professional settings, such as job applications, where it emphasizes a formal evaluation process. Be aware of its declension to fit Russian sentence structure.
• In informal speech, "интервью" might be used interchangeably, but "собеседование" is strictly formal. Grammar note: Always decline nouns according to case for natural flow, e.g., "на собеседовании" (at the interview).
• When translating from English, consider the context to avoid confusion between job and media interviews.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "интервью" for job contexts. Incorrect: "Я имею интервью завтра." (This sounds unnatural as it implies a media interview.) Correct: "У меня собеседование завтра." Explanation: "Интервью" doesn't fit job scenarios; opt for "собеседование" to match the formal tone.
• Error: Failing to decline the noun. Incorrect: "Подготовка к собеседование." (Missing genitive case.) Correct: "Подготовка к собеседованию." Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, which English learners often overlook.
• Error: Overusing "интервью" without context. Incorrect: Assuming it always means a job interview. Explanation: This can lead to misunderstandings; always clarify based on situation.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "собеседование" for job interviews often involves more emphasis on personal connections and less on scripted questions compared to Western practices. "Интервью" in media contexts can be highly valued for public figures, reflecting Russia's tradition of intellectual discourse, as seen in historical interviews with writers like Tolstoy.

Related Concepts:

• опрос (survey)
• диалог (dialogue)
• рекрутинг (recruiting)