Bedeutung
Used to express that something is absurd, ridiculous, or completely untrue.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In France, 'C'est n'importe quoi' is often accompanied by a 'bof' sound or a 'pff' and a shrug. It's a key part of the 'French complaining' culture, which is actually a way of being social. While used in Quebec, locals might also use 'C'est du n'importe quoi' with a slightly different accent. They also have many of their own unique expressions for chaos, like 'C'est le bordel'. Belgian French speakers use the phrase identically to the French, often to criticize bureaucracy or complex political situations. In Francophone Africa, the phrase is common in urban centers like Dakar to dismiss rumors or poor quality goods in the market.
Use it for emphasis
Add 'vraiment' (really) before 'n'importe quoi' to sound more like a native speaker when you're annoyed.
Watch your tone
This phrase can sound aggressive if said too loudly. Use a sighing tone for a more 'typical' French reaction.
Bedeutung
Used to express that something is absurd, ridiculous, or completely untrue.
Use it for emphasis
Add 'vraiment' (really) before 'n'importe quoi' to sound more like a native speaker when you're annoyed.
Watch your tone
This phrase can sound aggressive if said too loudly. Use a sighing tone for a more 'typical' French reaction.
The 'N'imp' shortcut
If you want to sound like a French teenager, just say 'C'est n'imp !'
Faire vs Dire
Use 'Tu fais n'importe quoi' for actions and 'Tu dis n'importe quoi' for words.
Teste dich selbst
Choose the best response to: 'J'ai vu un chat qui parle français !'
Comment réagis-tu ?
You are reacting to an absurd statement (nonsense), so 'n'importe quoi' is correct.
Complete the sentence with the missing words.
Le prix de ce sac est de 2000 euros ? C'est ___ !
The price is absurd, which is a classic use of 'n'importe quoi'.
Match the situation to the use of 'n'importe quoi'.
Situation: A friend is trying to fix a computer with a hammer.
The friend is 'doing' (faire) something ridiculous.
Fill in the dialogue.
A: Le prof a dit qu'il n'y a pas de devoirs pour toute l'année. B: Arrête, tu ___ !
The person is 'saying' (dire) something that is likely a lie or nonsense.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
When to say 'C'est n'importe quoi'
Situations
- • High prices
- • Obvious lies
- • Messy rooms
- • Bad logic
Quoi vs. Qui
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenComment réagis-tu ?
You are reacting to an absurd statement (nonsense), so 'n'importe quoi' is correct.
Le prix de ce sac est de 2000 euros ? C'est ___ !
The price is absurd, which is a classic use of 'n'importe quoi'.
Situation: A friend is trying to fix a computer with a hammer.
The friend is 'doing' (faire) something ridiculous.
A: Le prof a dit qu'il n'y a pas de devoirs pour toute l'année. B: Arrête, tu ___ !
The person is 'saying' (dire) something that is likely a lie or nonsense.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenIt's informal. It's not a swear word, but it is a strong way to disagree. Don't use it with your boss.
'Quoi' means 'what' (things/ideas), 'Qui' means 'who' (people).
Yes, adding 'du' is very common and makes it sound a bit more like 'This is [some] total nonsense'.
Rarely. It's better to use 'C'est incohérent' or 'Je ne suis pas d'accord' in a meeting.
'C'est n'importe quoi' is the most common polite-ish way. A more vulgar way is 'C'est des conneries'.
Yes! 'C'est n'importe quoi dans cette chambre' is a very common motherly complaint.
Usually, yes. However, 'On a fait n'importe quoi' can mean 'We had a wild, crazy time' in a fun way.
It sounds exactly like 'kwa'.
Yes, very common among young people and in texting.
No, you would describe their *actions* as n'importe quoi, but not the person themselves.
Verwandte Redewendungen
N'importe qui
similarAnyone
N'importe où
similarAnywhere
C'est des bêtises
synonymThat's silly/nonsense
C'est n'imp
specialized formThat's nonsense (slang)
Faire n'importe quoi
builds onTo act recklessly
