The English word “whatever” can be an adjective, a pronoun, or even an interjection. Due to its various meanings, there is no single equivalent of “whatever” in French. Instead, different expressions must be used depending on context.

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1. To Mean “Anything That” / “No Matter What”

In this usage, “whatever” introduces an indefinite or open category. The French equivalents often involve quoi que, tout ce que, or n’importe quoi, depending on grammatical function.

a) Quoi que (followed by subjunctive)

Used when “whatever” means “no matter what” in a concessive or indefinite clause.

Examples:

• Whatever you say, I won’t change my mind.
  Quoi que tu dises, je ne changerai pas d’avis.
• Whatever happens, stay calm.
  Quoi qu’il arrive, reste calme.

b) Tout ce que (literally “everything that”)

Used when “whatever” refers to “anything that” in relative clauses.

Examples:

• Take whatever you want.
  Prends tout ce que tu veux.
• He believed whatever she told him.
  Il croyait tout ce qu’elle lui disait.

Note: Tout ce que introduces a complete object; it must be followed by a subject and verb.

c) N’importe quoi (literally “no matter what”)

Used when “whatever” refers to an unspecified or arbitrary object, often with a tone of indifference or randomness.

Examples:

• You can say whatever; I don’t care.
  Tu peux dire n’importe quoi, ça m’est égal.
• He eats whatever without thinking.
  Il mange n’importe quoi sans réfléchir.

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2. To Express Indifference or a Lack of Preference

In casual English, “whatever” is often used to convey indifference. The French equivalents depend on the sentence structure and tone.

a) Ça m’est égal (literally “it’s all the same to me”)

Examples:

• What do you want to eat?
  – Whatever.
  Qu’est-ce que tu veux manger ?
  – Ça m’est égal.
• We can watch whatever you like.
  On peut regarder ce que tu veux, ça m’est égal.

b) Comme tu veux (literally “as you like”)

This expression is more polite or deferential.

Examples:

• We can go now or later – whatever.
  On peut y aller maintenant ou plus tard – comme tu veux.
• Whatever you prefer.
  Comme tu préfères.

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3. As a Dismissive Interjection

In informal English, “whatever” is sometimes used to dismiss or end a conversation abruptly. In French, there is no perfect one-word equivalent, but similar ideas can be expressed idiomatically.

a) Peu importe (literally “little matters”)

This expresses detachment or a lack of concern.

Examples:

• I don’t believe you.
  – Whatever.
  Je ne te crois pas.
  – Peu importe.
• You said you would come.
  – Whatever, I’m done waiting.
  Tu avais dit que tu viendrais.
  – Peu importe, j’en ai marre d’attendre.

b) Laisse tomber (literally “drop it”)

Used to express “Forget it”/”Whatever” in a dismissive way.

Example:

• Whatever, just forget it.
  Laisse tomber, peu importe.

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4. As an Adjective Before a Noun (“Any”, “No Matter Which”)

When “whatever” qualifies a noun, indicating total indifference or generality, French uses n’importe quel/quelle/quels/quelles.

Examples:

• Choose whatever book you like.
  Choisis n’importe quel livre que tu veux.
• You can wear whatever clothes you want.
  Tu peux porter n’importe quels vêtements que tu veux.

Agreement Note: Quel agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies:

• n’importe quelle idée (feminine singular)
• n’importe quels films (masculine plural)
• n’importe quelles chansons (feminine plural)

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5. As a Relative Pronoun for Abstract Concepts

Sometimes “whatever” stands in for an abstract idea or consequence, especially in formal or literary contexts.

Example:

• Whatever the cost, we must succeed.
  Quel qu’en soit le prix, nous devons réussir.

This formal structure uses quel que + être (subjunctive) + noun, and is less common in spoken French.

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Summary Table

English Use	French Equivalent(s)	Notes
Anything that / No matter what	quoi que, tout ce que, n’importe quoi	Context determines choice
Indifference (as a reply)	ça m’est égal, comme tu veux	Used in conversation
Dismissive interjection	peu importe, laisse tomber	Informal to neutral
As adjective before a noun	n’importe quel/quelle/quels/quelles	Must agree with the noun
Abstract, formal usage	quel que + être (subjunctive) + noun	Very formal or literary

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