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Durante la entrevista, intento mantener la calma y hablar despacio.

Durante la entrevista, intento mantener la calma y hablar despacio.
During the interview, I try to stay calm and speak slowly.
FromLesson 38inHardcore Spanish (Spain)

Questions & Answers about Durante la entrevista, intento mantener la calma y hablar despacio.

Why is durante used here instead of en or mientras?

Durante means during and focuses on the time span of an event: the whole period of the interview.

  • En la entrevista is also possible, but it often feels more like in/at the interview (the setting) rather than highlighting the duration.
  • Mientras (que) means while and usually introduces another clause with a verb: Mientras (que) hablo con el entrevistador, intento... It’s more “simultaneous action” than “time period.”
Why does entrevista have la in durante la entrevista?
Spanish normally uses the definite article much more than English. For a specific, understood context (this interview you’re talking about), Spanish prefers la entrevista rather than dropping the article. Without la, durante entrevista would sound incomplete/wrong.
What is the function of the comma after entrevista?
The comma separates the time phrase Durante la entrevista from the main clause intento... It’s optional in some cases, but very common and helps readability, especially when the introductory phrase comes first.
Why is intento in the present tense—does it mean right now, or in general?

The present intento can cover both:

  • a general/habitual meaning: I try (whenever I’m in an interview)
  • a “current scenario” meaning: I’m trying (in this interview / these days)
    Context decides. Spanish uses the present for habits and for “current” situations quite freely.
What verb is intento from, and how do I know the subject?

Intento is the yo form of intentar (to try). Spanish often drops subject pronouns because the verb ending shows the subject:

  • intento = I try You could add yo for emphasis: Durante la entrevista, yo intento...
Why is it intento + infinitive (mantener, hablar) instead of intento de?

In modern Spanish, the most common structure is intentar + infinitive:

  • intento mantener...
  • intento hablar... You may see intentar + infinitive almost everywhere. Using intentar de + infinitive is nonstandard/rare in Spain (and generally avoided).
Could I use trato de instead of intento?

Yes. Trato de mantener la calma y hablar despacio is very natural.
Typical nuance:

  • intentar can feel a bit more direct/neutral: I try
  • tratar de can feel like make an effort to / try to (slightly more “effort” implied), though in daily speech they often overlap.
Why is mantener la calma used—what does that phrase sound like to Spaniards?
Mantener la calma is a very common set phrase meaning stay/keep calm. It’s neutral and natural in Spain (and widely understood across Spanish-speaking countries).
Why is it la calma and not something like calmo or tranquilo?

Because calma is a noun: calm → la calma.
If you want an adjective-based option, you’d restructure the sentence:

  • intento estar tranquilo / estar calmado (I try to be calm)
    Or reflexive:
  • intento tranquilizarme (I try to calm myself down)
Could it be mantenerme calmado/tranquilo instead of mantener la calma?

Yes, but it shifts the structure:

  • mantener la calma = keep calm (fixed phrase; very common)
  • mantenerme calmado/tranquilo = keep myself calm (more explicit and slightly more personal/physical-sounding)
    Both are correct; mantener la calma is usually the most idiomatic.
Why do mantener and hablar stay in the infinitive after intento?

After verbs like intentar, Spanish typically uses an infinitive to express the action you’re trying to do:

  • intento mantener...
  • (intento) hablar... The y links two infinitives that share the same “I try to…” idea. You don’t need to repeat intento.
Why is it hablar despacio and not hablar despacío or hablar lentamente?
  • despacio is the standard spelling (no accent).
  • hablar despacio is very common and natural in Spain.
  • hablar lentamente is also correct but can sound a bit more formal or “carefully worded.”
    Also, Spanish often uses adverbs like despacio after the verb, just like here.
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