Learn French: N’importe Quoi’
In today’s episode, an essential French word ‘N’importe quoi’ (try saying nem puhrt kwa)! We’ll review the different meanings of ‘N’importe quoi’ depending of the context.
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#1 ”N’importe quoi’ …’ as ‘nonsense’.
When you need to express ‘Nonsense’/ ‘it’s nonsense‘, ‘N’importe quoi’ is the correct word to use.
Il dit n’importe quoi = He’s talking nonsense.
‘Tu as gagné deux milliards au loto !’ – N’importe quoi !
You won two billions at the lottery? – Nonsense!
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#2 ‘N‘importe quoi’.. as ‘anything’
The other main meaning of ‘n’importe quoi’ is ‘anything‘
Tu veux quelquechose à manger ? – N’importe quoi !
Do you want something to eat? – Anything!
Je ferai n’importe quoi pour aller au concert de Céline Dion ! I’ll do anything to go to Celine Dion’s concert!
#3 ‘N‘importe quoi‘… as ‘ridiculous’
To sound closer to native speakers, switch to ‘N’importe quoi’ when you mean ‘Ridiculous’/ ‘Absurd‘.
Trois mille euros pour voir un concert ? C’est n’importe quoi‘
Three thousands euros to see a concert? It’s ridiculous. It’s absurd
You can add emphasis by saying:
C’est vraiment n’importe quoi : It’s really ridiculous/Absurd.
C’est du grand n’importe quoi : French idiom for ‘It’s totally ridiculous/What a nonsense!’
Also, in slang, you may hear ‘Nimp‘ as short reference to ‘N’importe quoi‘
