What does n'importe in French mean?

What is the meaning of the word n'importe in French? The article explains the full meaning, pronunciation along with bilingual examples and instructions on how to use n'importe in French.

The word n'importe in French means either, either one, it's nonsense, that's nonsense, it's not just anyone, it's not just anybody, talk nonsense, say anything, say off the top of your head, say whatever comes into your head, be out of control, do anything for, just as an example, any old how, in any case, at any rate, whichever, any, any one, anywhere, anytime, any, any, anyone, anybody, anyone, anybody, anything, nonsense, Nonsense!, by any way at all, by any means at all, by all available means, talk nonsense, say all sorts of things, answer with the first thing that comes into your head, anything and everything. To learn more, please see the details below.

Listen to pronunciation

Meaning of the word n'importe

either, either one

interjection (ça m'indiffère) (between two things)

(pronoun: Replaces noun--for example, "He took the cookie and ate it." "I saw you yesterday.")

Tu préfères la rouge ou la bleue ? N'importe !

Do you prefer the red or the blue? It makes no difference!

it's nonsense, that's nonsense

(familier (c'est insensé)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Vouloir que les enfants restent au bord de l'eau sans se mouiller, c'est n'importe quoi.

it's not just anyone, it's not just anybody

(c'est [qqn] d’important)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Fais l'effort de te déplacer, ce n'est pas n'importe qui, c'est le président !

talk nonsense, say anything

locution verbale (dire des choses sans intérêt)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Arrête de n'importe quoi ! Bien sûr que l'Australie est dans l'hémisphère sud !

say off the top of your head, say whatever comes into your head

locution verbale (surtout avec « je » (prendre comme exemple)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Si vous avez 10 usines, je dis n'importe quoi, alors, il vous faudra 50 machines comme celle-ci pour couvrir vos besoins.

If you have, let's say 10 factories, for example, you'll need 50 machines to meet your requirements.

be out of control

locution verbale (agir de façon peu sensée)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Depuis que sa copine l'a quitté, Eric fait n'importe quoi et je m'inquiète pour lui.

do anything for

locution verbale (tout faire pour arriver à [qch])

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Cette actrice ferait n'importe quoi pour se faire remarquer.

just as an example

(je prends un exemple)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Et si, je dis n'importe quoi, vous effectuez un paiement le 12 janvier, vous ne serez débité que le 27 février.

any old how

locution adverbiale (pas sérieusement) (slightly informal)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")

Le jeune homme avait rempli le questionnaire n'importe comment et il a donc été refusé par la mairie.

The young man filled in the questionnaire any old how, so the town hall turned him down.

in any case, at any rate

locution adverbiale (de toute façon)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

N'importe comment, il faudra bien qu'elle repasse par là.

whichever

pronom (peu importe laquelle)

(pronoun: Replaces noun--for example, "He took the cookie and ate it." "I saw you yesterday.")

Quelle robe préfères-tu ? N'importe laquelle fera l'affaire !

any, any one

pronom (peu importe lequel)

(pronoun: Replaces noun--for example, "He took the cookie and ate it." "I saw you yesterday.")

Quel morceau de gâteau veux-tu ? N'importe lequel me conviendra.

anywhere

locution adverbiale (indique l'indétermination)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")

Tu laisses traîner tes affaires n'importe où, il n'est pas étonnant que tu ne les retrouves pas !

You leave your things around anywhere and you are surprised when you cannot find them?!

anytime

locution adverbiale (à tout moment)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")

Tu peux venir chez moi n'importe quand.

These sort of things can happen anytime, anywhere.

any

(tout)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

N'importe quel joueur a pu donner ce coup dans la mêlée.

Any player could have landed that blow in the scrum.

any

(toute)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

N'importe quelle hôtesse a pu verser un somnifère dans le verre de ce passager.

Any one of the stewardesses could have slipped a sleeping pill into the passenger's drink.

anyone, anybody

(une personne quelconque)

(pronoun: Replaces noun--for example, "He took the cookie and ate it." "I saw you yesterday.")

N'importe qui peut ouvrir un site web de nos jours.

Anyone can set up a website these days.

anyone, anybody

(personne insignifiante)

(pronoun: Replaces noun--for example, "He took the cookie and ate it." "I saw you yesterday.")

Ils laissent vraiment entrer n'importe qui dans cette boîte maintenant ! Mon beau-frère, ce n'est pas n'importe qui. Il est champion de France du 100 m !

My brother-in-law is not just anyone. He is the French 100m champion!

anything

(action insensée)

(pronoun: Replaces noun--for example, "He took the cookie and ate it." "I saw you yesterday.")

N'importe quoi pour se faire remarquer !

Anything to get noticed!

nonsense

(parole insensée)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Ne fais pas attention, tu sais bien que ta sœur dit n'importe quoi !

Pay no attention - you know that your sister is talking nonsense!

Nonsense!

interjection (ce sont des bêtises)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")

Toi, tu es allé dans l'espace ? N'importe quoi !

You've been to space? Nonsense!

by any way at all, by any means at all, by all available means

locution adverbiale (à tout prix)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Je le connais, il arrivera à ses fins par n'importe quel moyen.

talk nonsense

locution verbale (dire des choses fausses)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Ne l'écoute pas, il raconte n'importe quoi !

say all sorts of things

locution verbale (dire une chose et son contraire)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

They would do better to question the people concerned instead of saying any old thing!

answer with the first thing that comes into your head

locution verbale (répondre une chose sans intérêt)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

anything and everything

(une chose et son contraire)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Let's learn French

So now that you know more about the meaning of n'importe in French, you can learn how to use them through selected examples and how to read them. And remember to learn the related words that we suggest. Our website is constantly updating with new words and new examples so you can look up the meanings of other words you don't know in French.