How to Use the French Expression NImporte Quoi

The French expression nimporte quoi,  pronounced  neh(m) puhr t(eu) kwa,  means literally no matter what. But in use, the sense is anything, whatever or nonsense. Nimporte quoi has a few different uses. Most often it means anything, as in: Je ferais nimporte quoi pour gagner.   Id do anything to win. Informally, nimporte quoi  or cest du nimporte quoi are used to convey  nonsense. A less literal translation would be What the heck are you talking about?! or the exclamatory Rubbish! Though not a perfect equivalent, nimporte quoi is also probably the best translation  for whatever, when its used as an expression of dismissal. Examples Ce magasin vend tout et nimporte quoi.   This store sells anything and everything.Nà ©coute pas Philippe. Il dit nimporte quoi.   Dont listen to Philippe. Hes talking nonsense. /  Hell say anything!Il ferait nimporte quoi pour obtenir le rà ´le. Hed do anything.  /  Hed go to any lengths to get the part.Tu dis vraiment nimporte quoi  ! Youre talking absolute nonsense !  Cest un bon investissement. Thats a good investment.Nimporte quoi  !  (familiar) Dont talk rubbish / nonsense !Je ferais nimporte quoi pour elle.  Ã‚  Id do anything for her.  Ã‚  Comme qualità ©, cest nimporte quoi.  Ã‚  Ã‚  In terms of quality / As for quality, its rubbish. Almost Famous Theres a well-known saying in French popular culture that goes:  Cest en faisant nimporte quoi, quon devient nimporte qui  (or ...que lon devient...). This expression means literally, Its by doing nonsensical things that you become nonsensical, but its better expressed as Its by doing anything that you become anyone, and its the motto of French prankster and video maker Rà ©mi Gaillard, who calls himself Nimporte qui. The phrase is a play on the French proverb Cest en forgeant quon devient forgeron (the equivalent of Practice makes perfect, but literally Its by forging that one becomes a blacksmith). Part of the NImporte Family of Expressions Nimporte quoi  is a popular  combining  form of the French indefinite expression  nimporte, which literally means no matter. It can be followed by an  interrogative pronoun  like quoi, an  interrogative adjective,  or an interrogative adverb in order to designate an unspecified person, thing, or characteristic. NImporte With Interrogative Pronouns Interrogative pronouns imply the question who, what, and which one, or qui, quoi, and lequel / laquelle / lesquels / lesquelles. These phrases can function as subjects,  direct objects, or  indirect objects. 1) Nimporte qui   anyone, anybody   Nimporte qui peut le faire.   Anyone can do it.Tu peux inviter nimporte qui.   You can invite anyone.Ne viens pas avec nimporte qui.   Dont come with just anyone.   2)  Nimporte quoi   anything Nimporte quoi maiderait.   Anything would help me.Il lira nimporte quoi.   Hell read anything.​Jà ©cris sur nimporte quoi.   I write on anything. 3) Nimporte lequel,  laquelle   any (one)​ Quel livre veux-tu  ?   Which book do you want?Nimporte lequel.   Any one. / Any of them.Aimes-tu les films  ?   Do you like movies?Oui, jaime nimporte lesquels.   Yes, I like any at all. Nimporte With  Interrogative Adjectives In this case,  nimporte  is combined with the interrogative adjectives  quel or quelle, which pose  the question what. This combined form produces  nimporte quel / quelle, which translates to  any.  Nimporte quel  is used in front of a noun to indicate a nonspecific choice, as in: Nimporte quel, quelle any Jaimerais nimporte quel livre.   Id like any book.Nimporte quelle dà ©cision sera...   Any decision will be... Nimporte with Interrogative Adverbs Here nimporte is combined with  interrogative adverbs that pose the questions  how, when, and where. These indicate that the how, when, or where is unspecified and are translated as: (in) any way, anytime, and anywhere. 1)  Nimporte comment   (in) any way   Fais-le nimporte comment.   Do it any way / any old way. (Just do it!)Nimporte comment, il part ce soir.   Hes leaving tonight no matter what. 2) Nimporte quand   anytime Ecrivez-nous nimporte quand.   Write to us anytime. 3) Nimporte oà ¹Ã‚   wherever, anywhere Nous irons nimporte oà ¹.   Well go wherever / anywhere.