nimporte

N'importe is a common French expression used to convey indifference or generalization. It is formed from the negation ne and the verb importer, meaning “to matter.” In modern usage it functions as a determiner or pronoun with a meaning close to “whatever,” “any,” or “no matter which/what.” The expression appears in several fixed constructions, most often with interrogatives or relative words: n'importe qui (anyone), n'importe quoi (anything or nonsense), n'importe où (anywhere), and n'importe quand (anytime). It can also modify nouns, as in n'importe quel livre (any book). In emphatic or informal contexts, it reinforces indifference, as in C'est n'importe quoi (This is nonsense) or Cela peut arriver n'importe quand (That can happen anytime).

Etymology and history: The phrase originates from ne importe, with importe derived from importer “to matter.” Over time, the construction became a set expression to indicate vagueness or non-specific reference, acquiring its distinct sense of “whatever.”

Orthography and usage notes: Standard French uses the apostrophe in n'importe. A variant spelling without the apostrophe, nimporte, can be seen in brand names, logos, or casual typography but is considered nonstandard in formal writing. In ordinary speech the ne is often de-emphasized or dropped in familiar contexts, and the expression blends smoothly into casual sentences.

Related forms and regional use: N'importe appears across French varieties, including European and Canadian French, with the same broad range of meanings. It is commonly contrasted with more formal equivalents such as peu importe or quel que soit.