What is the difference between n’importe qui and personne?

Stuart B.B1Kwiziq community member

What is the difference between n’importe qui and personne?

I’m probably missing something obvious, but I can’t find it elsewhere, sorry :)
Asked 6 years ago
AurélieKwiziq team memberCorrect answer

Bonjour Stuart !

The nuance here is of meaning, but it is indeed quite tricky as in English, you could translate either with "anyone".

However, personne means the absence of a person, i.e. noone/not anyone, hence it being used with the negative ne.
N'importe qui means a non-specific person, but definitely someone, i.e. anyone, and therefore will not be used with ne.

N'importe qui peut le faire.
Anyone can do this.

Personne ne peut le faire.
Noone can do this.

I hope that's helpful!
À bientôt !

Jim J.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor
Personne is a pronoun. N'importe comes from the verb importer -- to be important - to matter, (not the version "To import") In the negative, they seem to convey a similar sense but there is probably a nuance that would be better explained by an expert. Jim
Stuart B.B1Kwiziq community member
Thanks!
Enid G.B1Kwiziq community member

How is aucune used? Can this also mean « no one »?

Enid

What is the difference between n’importe qui and personne?

I’m probably missing something obvious, but I can’t find it elsewhere, sorry :)

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