Spanish Phrase
La entrevista por teléfono dura 15 minutos.
Meaning
This phrase means that a telephone interview has a duration of 15 minutes. It's a straightforward way to state the length of a scheduled event, specifically an interview conducted over the phone. The verb 'durar' is key here, meaning 'to last'.
When to use
You would use this phrase when informing someone about the expected length of a phone interview, perhaps when scheduling it or providing details to a candidate. It's common in professional or administrative contexts to set expectations for time commitment.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Laentrevistaporteléfonodura15minutos
La (The)
'La' is the feminine singular definite article, meaning 'the'. It agrees in gender and number with the noun it precedes, in this case, 'entrevista' (interview).
Entrevista (Interview)
This is a feminine noun meaning 'interview'. It's a common word in professional contexts and is often paired with adjectives like 'telefónica' (phone) or 'personal' (in-person).
Por (By/For)
'Por' is a preposition with many uses. Here, 'por teléfono' means 'by phone' or 'on the phone', indicating the medium or means by which the interview is conducted.
Teléfono (Telephone)
This is a masculine noun meaning 'telephone' or 'phone'. When combined with 'por', it forms the common phrase 'por teléfono'.
Dura (Lasts)
'Dura' is the third-person singular present tense conjugation of the verb 'durar', which means 'to last'. It is essential for expressing the duration of an event.
15 minutos (15 minutes)
This specifies the exact duration. 'Minutos' is a masculine plural noun for 'minutes', and '15' is the number 'fifteen'. Always use 'minutos' in plural when referring to more than one minute.
🗨In Conversation
¿Cuánto tiempo durará la entrevista telefónica?
How long will the phone interview last?
La entrevista por teléfono dura 15 minutos.
The phone interview lasts 15 minutes.
✕Common Mistakes
La entrevista en teléfono es 15 minutos.
Using 'en teléfono' is incorrect; 'por teléfono' is the standard way to say 'by phone' or 'on the phone'. Also, 'es' (is) is not used for duration; 'dura' (lasts) is required.
La entrevista por teléfono tiene 15 minutos.
While 'tener' (to have) can sometimes imply duration in other contexts, 'durar' (to last) is the correct and most natural verb to express the length of an event like an interview.
↔Alternatives
La llamada durará un cuarto de hora.
The call will last a quarter of an hour.
Serán 15 minutos de entrevista telefónica.
It will be 15 minutes of phone interview.
Cultural Tip
In many Spanish-speaking cultures, punctuality is valued, especially in professional settings. Stating the duration of an interview clearly helps manage expectations. While '15 minutos' is precise, sometimes 'un cuarto de hora' (a quarter of an hour) is used, which sounds a bit more informal but is equally understood.