#77 Visiting a Business Client｜French Business Conversation
Izumi French Garden
#82 Receiving Feedback on Your Work｜French Business Conversation
Izumi
After submitting your work at the office, it is common to receive feedback from a supervisor or colleague.
In French, showing gratitude and a positive attitude helps create a good impression.
In this lesson, we will look at useful French expressions for three stages of feedback: asking for it, receiving it, and responding to it.
Contents
Dialogue
Bonjour, avez-vous eu le temps de regarder mon rapport ?
(Hello, have you had time to look at my report?)
Oui, je l’ai lu. C’est un très bon travail dans l’ensemble.
(Yes, I’ve read it. It’s a very good piece of work overall.)
Merci beaucoup ! Y a-t-il des points à améliorer ?
(Thank you very much! Are there any points that could be improved?)
Peut-être la partie sur les résultats pourrait être un peu plus détaillée.
(Perhaps the section on results could be a bit more detailed.)
D’accord, je vais la retravailler. Merci pour vos conseils.
(Understood, I’ll revise that part. Thank you for your advice.)
1. How to Politely Ask for Feedback
When you want to check whether someone has reviewed your report, presentation, or proposal, you can use the polite structure: “Avez-vous eu le temps de + infinitive”
- Avez-vous eu le temps de regarder mon rapport ?
(Have you had time to look at my report?)
This literally means “Have you had the time to…?” — a polite way to ask without pressuring the other person.
Grammatically, it uses “avoir + past participle (eu)” in the passé composé, meaning “to have had.”
Starting the question with “Avez-vous” (inversion) adds a formal tone.
2. Expressing Positive Feedback
To say something is well done or of good quality, these expressions are commonly used:
- C’est un très bon travail.
(It’s very good work.) - C’est bien fait.
(It’s well done.) - C’est un bon travail dans l’ensemble.
(It’s a good job overall.)
“C’est bien fait” is used to praise the quality or finish of something (e.g., a presentation or design).
“C’est un bon travail” appreciates the effort and overall performance.
3. Asking About Areas for Improvement
When receiving feedback, it’s important to ask about possible improvements.
Two polite and professional expressions are:
- Y a-t-il des points à améliorer ?
(Are there any points that could be improved?) - Qu’est-ce que je pourrais améliorer ?
(What could I improve?)
The first is neutral and respectful, literally “Are there points to improve?”
The second is slightly more proactive.Using the conditional tense (pourrais) of “pouvoir” makes the question softer and more courteous.
4. Responding to Advice
After receiving suggestions, express gratitude and show your willingness to take action:
- D’accord, je vais la retravailler.
(Alright, I’ll revise that part.) - Merci pour vos conseils.
(Thank you for your advice.) - Je comprends, je vais corriger cela.
(I understand; I’ll correct it.)
The verb retravailler means “to rework” or “revise,” suggesting general improvements.
Corriger, on the other hand, means “to correct” specific mistakes.
- Je vais la retravailler. → to improve the overall content.
- Je vais corriger cela. → to fix only the pointed-out part.
Summary
- Avez-vous eu le temps de … ?
→ A polite way to ask if someone has had time to check your work. - C’est un bon travail / C’est bien fait
→ Common expressions for giving positive feedback. - Y a-t-il des points à améliorer ? / Qu’est-ce que je pourrais améliorer ?
→ Soft and respectful ways to ask for suggestions. - Merci pour vos conseils / Je vais la retravailler.
→ Expressing gratitude and readiness to make improvements.
