N'importe quoi: What does it mean and how is it used?

Question

Can someone explain the meaning and common usages of this phrase? I hear it often and am not entirely sure I always understand it. Does it mean something like English's “whatever” or “bullshit”? Is it said flippantly? Angrily? I would love to see some examples of situations or usages of the phrase so I can get a better grasp on it.

Answer 1

1. "N'importe quoi" can be used about something that doesn't make sense ("Il porte une écharpe de laine en plein été! C'est n'importe quoi!" or "Ne l'écoutez pas, il dit n'importe quoi!"
2. "N'importe quoi" can be used as "anything" ("Donne-moi quelque chose pour écrire, n'importe quoi, un stylo, un crayon, un bic,...")

Answer 2

N'importe quoi can mean whatever or something like "that's rubbish/nonsense". But the beginning of the phrase, N'importe, can also be used with other "question words"-où, quand, pouquoi, etc.--meaning "no matter where" or "no matter when" etc. It is a great phrase to know :)

Answer 3

N'importe quoi translates as "whatever..."