n'importe qui / quoi / où / quand / comment / lequel
Indefinites with N'importe
The construction n'importe + [interrogative] creates indefinite expressions like 'anywhere', 'anyone', or 'anything'. It is a fixed phrase that indicates a free choice or indifference among options.
How It Works
The phrase n'importe literally means 'it doesn't matter' (from the verb importer). In modern French, it functions as a prefix for various interrogative words:
- N'importe qui: Anyone / anybody.
- N'importe quoi: Anything (also colloquially 'nonsense').
- N'importe où: Anywhere.
- N'importe quand: Anytime.
- N'importe comment: Any which way / anyhow (often implies 'carelessly' or 'sloppily').
- N'importe combien: Any amount / any number.
Agreement Rules:
While n'importe is invariable, the words following it must agree with the noun they refer to:
1. N'importe quel/quelle/quels/quelles: Used as an adjective before a noun. N'importe quels livres (masc. plural).
2. N'importe lequel/laquelle/lesquels/lesquelles: Used as a pronoun. N'importe lesquelles (any of them, fem. plural).
Prepositions:
If you need a preposition (à, de, avec, pour, etc.), it must be placed before the word n'importe (e.g., Je parle à n'importe qui).
Negative Nuance:
When used with ne...pas, it means 'not just any'. Ce n'est pas n'importe quoi means 'It's not just anything' (it's something special).
Register:
In formal writing, you might see quiconque instead of n'importe qui.
Examples (6)
- Tu peux venir n'importe quand, je suis toujours là.
You can come anytime, I am always here.
Word by Word: You can come no matter when, I am always there.
Here, 'n'importe quand' functions as an adverbial phrase meaning 'at any time'.
- Il dit n'importe quoi !
He's talking nonsense!
Word by Word: He says no matter what!
This is a very common idiomatic use of 'n'importe quoi' to mean 'rubbish' or 'nonsense'.
- Ce n'est pas n'importe qui ; c'est le président !
He isn't just anyone; he's the president!
Word by Word: It is not no matter who; it is the president!
When used with a negation, 'n'importe qui' means 'just anyone' or 'someone ordinary'.
- Il a fait son travail n'importe comment.
He did his work sloppily.
Word by Word: He has done his work no matter how.
'N'importe comment' often implies that something was done carelessly or without any method.
- Je peux prêter mes outils à n'importe lequel de mes voisins.
I can lend my tools to any one of my neighbors.
Word by Word: I can lend my tools to no matter which one of my neighbors.
Notice that the preposition 'à' comes before 'n'importe'. 'Lequel' agrees with the masculine 'voisins'.
- Tu peux prendre n'importe quelles fleurs.
You can take any flowers.
Word by Word: You can take no matter which flowers.
'Quelles' is the feminine plural form of the adjective 'quel', agreeing with 'fleurs'.
Common Mistakes
Placing a preposition between 'n'importe' and the interrogative word.
Je parle n'importe à qui.Je parle à n'importe qui.Prepositions like 'à', 'de', or 'avec' must be placed before the entire 'n'importe' expression, not inside it.
Using 'n'importe lequel' before a noun.
Je peux lire n'importe lequel livre.Je peux lire n'importe quel livre.'Lequel' is a pronoun (replaces a noun), while 'quel' is an adjective (describes a noun). Use 'quel' if the noun is present.
Adding 'pas' when you mean 'I want anything'.
Different MeaningJe ne veux pas n'importe quoi.Je veux n'importe quoi.'Je ne veux pas n'importe quoi' is correct, but it means 'I don't want just anything'. If you want to say 'I want anything', use the affirmative.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand 'n'importe' expressions, you must first be familiar with the basic French interrogative words (who, what, where, when, how, which). The 'n'importe' construction functions by prefixing these question words to create indefinite meanings like 'anyone', 'anything', or 'anywhere'.
- qui (interrogatif)Who with Qui
The pattern 'n'importe' combines with standard interrogative pronouns like 'qui' to form indefinite expressions.
Level 1 - que / quoiWhat with Que and Quoi
Understanding the use of 'quoi' as an interrogative pronoun is necessary to form 'n'importe quoi'.
Level 1 - lequel (interrogatif)Which One with Lequel
The form 'n'importe lequel' requires knowledge of the interrogative pronoun 'lequel' and its agreement rules.
Level 3
Related Patterns
- quel / quelle / quels / quellesWhich/what with Quel
The adjective 'quel' is the base for 'n'importe quel', requiring the same gender and number agreement.
Level 1 - quiconqueWhoever with Quiconque
A more formal/literary alternative to 'n'importe qui' meaning 'whoever' or 'anyone'.
Level 4 - quoi que ce soitWhatever/anything with Quoi Que Ce Soit
Often confused with 'n'importe quoi', but 'quoi que ce soit' is typically used in negative or conditional contexts.
Level 6 - Linking a silent consonant to the next vowel
Crucial for the correct pronunciation of 'n'importe où'.
Level 1
Words in This Pattern
Practice n'importe qui / quoi / où / quand / comment / lequel in Bubblegum
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