French Phrase
Souris comme il faut pendant tout l'entretien.
Meaning
The sentence advises someone to keep a proper, appropriate smile throughout the entire interview. It suggests that a pleasant demeanor is essential for making a good impression.
When to use
Use this phrase when giving interview coaching, reminding a friend to stay friendly during a job interview, or any formal conversation where a professional attitude is expected.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Souriscommeilfautpendanttoutl'entretien.
Imperative (2nd pers. sing.)
‘Souris’ is the informal second‑person singular imperative of the verb ‘sourire’, meaning ‘to smile’.
Comme il faut
An idiomatic expression meaning ‘as it should be’ or ‘properly’, often used to indicate the correct way to behave.
Impersonal verb ‘il faut’
‘Il faut’ is an impersonal construction meaning ‘it is necessary’; in this phrase it forms part of the idiom ‘comme il faut’.
Preposition ‘pendant’
‘Pendant’ introduces a time period and translates to ‘during’.
‘Tout l’ + noun’
When ‘tout’ (all/whole) modifies a masculine singular noun beginning with a vowel, the article contracts: ‘tout l’entretien’ = ‘the whole interview’.
🗨In Conversation
Je suis très nerveux à l'idée de mon entretien.
I’m really nervous about my interview.
Souris comme il faut pendant tout l'entretien, ça te mettra à l'aise.
Smile as you should throughout the whole interview, it will put you at ease.
✕Common Mistakes
Souri comme il faut pendant tout l'entretien.
The imperative of ‘sourire’ must end with –s: ‘Souris’.
Souris comme il faut pendant tout le entretien.
Before a vowel‑initial noun, the article contracts: ‘tout l’entretien’, not ‘tout le entretien’.
Souris comme il faut pendant tout l'entretien.
Do not translate literally as ‘like it must’; keep the idiomatic meaning ‘properly’.
↔Alternatives
Souris pendant tout l'entretien.
Smile throughout the whole interview.
Affiche un sourire approprié tout au long de l'entretien.
Show an appropriate smile throughout the interview.
Garde un sourire naturel pendant toute la durée de l'entretien.
Keep a natural smile for the entire duration of the interview.
Cultural Tip
In French professional settings a genuine but restrained smile is valued. Over‑the‑top grinning can be perceived as insincere, while a modest smile conveys confidence and respect. The idiom ‘comme il faut’ signals that you are following the expected etiquette.