Bonjour! Could the interviewer have answered “si, vraiment” when James said “n’importe quoi”? Also, I infer that “n’importe quoi” is something you’d say when trying to be humble. What’s a good equivalent in English? I don’t exactly understand the expression. Merci!
When can “si” be used
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James S.Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor
When can “si” be used
This question relates to:French interactive reading exercise "James se présente"
Asked 2 years ago
In this case, the use of 'n'importe quoi' was as an exclamation/interjection - similar to English using 'nonsense/rubbish/not really'. There was no question, but in informal speech you may well hear "(mais) si, vraiment/c'est vrai" in response, where in this transcript the simple 'non, vraiment' is used. Remember 'n'importe quoi' is not just an interjection and does not only translate as "nonsense"; in a statement it is also used to mean similar to "no matter what/anything".
Jim J. Kwiziq Q&A super contributor
Hi James
N'importe quoi ___ whatever! but not in a dismissive sense.
Bonne continuation
Jim
Chris W. Kwiziq Q&A super contributor
N'importe quoi can often be translates as something like "nonesense". In the exercise you refer to, the interviewer could have replied Si.
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