n'importe quand
/n‿ɛ̃.pɔʁ.t(ə) kɑ̃/
The English phrase 'whenever' can be translated into French as n'importe quand.
N'importe quand is used to express that the specific time of an action is not important or to show indifference toward the timing.
Meaning: at any time (adv)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a combination of n'importe, meaning 'no matter' or 'any' and quand, meaning 'when'. Literally, it translates to 'no matter when'.
Which one should you use?
There is a distinction between expressing indifference and expressing repetition. Use n'importe quand to mean 'at any time' when the specific moment is irrelevant. In contrast, use chaque fois que or à chaque fois que when you want to mean 'every time that' or to emphasize the repetition of an event.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
{'ipa': '/n‿ɛ̃.pɔʁ.t(ə) kɑ̃/', 'syllables': 3}
Did you know?
- The root n'importe comes from the verb importer, which in this context means 'to matter'. Literally, n'importe quand translates to 'it imports not when'.
- The component n'importe can behave like a standalone adjective to describe something as 'random' or even 'low quality'. It creates a sense of chaos or lack of care in its usage.
- If you use n'importe quand to describe a medical appointment or a professional meeting, you might sound unintentionally rude or careless. It can imply that the timing is so trivial that it does not matter at all.
Examples in context
- Je suis disponible à tout momentI am available whenever
- On peut sortir n'importe quandWe can go out whenever
- Je suis heureux chaque fois que je te voisI am happy whenever I see you
- Tu peux venir me rendre visite à la maison n'importe quand.You can come visit me at home whenever.
- Je suis libre chaque fois que tu as besoin de moi.I am available whenever you need me.
- Tu peux m'appeler n'importe quand.You can call me whenever.
- On peut partir n'importe quand.We can leave whenever.
- Il peut venir n'importe quand.He can come whenever.
Example conversation
Chloé and Nathan are discussing when to meet for coffee.
- ChloéTu es libre pour un café ?Are you free for a coffee?
- NathanOui, on peut se voir n'importe quand.Yes, we can meet whenever.
- ChloéDemain après-midi, ça te va ?Does tomorrow afternoon work for you?
- NathanC'est parfait pour moi.That's perfect for me.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “whenever” translations and entries n'importe quand, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
