How to Say 'I'll take that on board' in French: Responding Calmly to Negative Feedback
Learn French phrases to acknowledge negative feedback calmly, using 'prendre en compte' and 'tenir compte' without sounding defensive or overly apologetic.
By PookieFriends & plans · Yapr Learn
When someone gives you negative feedback, the first challenge is managing your own reaction. In French, you need a phrase that acknowledges the criticism without promising to change or sounding defensive. The most natural equivalent of 'I'll take that on board' is 'je vais en tenir compte' or 'je prends note'. This lesson teaches you five calm, professional phrases, the difference between 'tenir compte' and 'prendre en compte', and how to avoid common mistakes like over-apologising or using 'comprendre' in a way that sounds like you are dismissing the feedback. You will also practise a short dialogue and test yourself with three exercises.
By the end, you can…
- acknowledge negative feedback calmly in French using 'je vais en tenir compte' and similar phrases.
- distinguish between 'tenir compte', 'prendre en compte', and 'prendre note' in context.
- respond to criticism without sounding defensive or overly apologetic.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Je vais en tenir compte.
I'll take that on board. / I'll take it into account.
zhuh vay ahn tuh-neer koh(n)t
Standard, neutral acknowledgement. Use when you want to show you have heard the feedback and will consider it, without committing to immediate action.
J'en prends note.
I'll make a note of that. / Noted.
zhahn prahn noht
Slightly more formal and concise. Common in professional emails or meetings. Implies you are recording the information for later.
C'est noté.
Noted. / Point taken.
say noh-tay
Very short and neutral. Can sound slightly brusque if said with a flat tone; soften with a slight smile or add 'merci'.
Je prends en compte ce que vous dites.
I'm taking what you're saying into account.
zhuh prahn ahn koh(n)t suh kuh voo deet
More explicit and slightly more formal. Use in a meeting when you want to show active listening.
Je vais y réfléchir.
I'll think about it.
zhuh vay ee ray-flay-sheer
Use when you need time before responding. It acknowledges the feedback without agreeing or disagreeing.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The core pattern is 'tenir compte de' or 'prendre en compte' + noun. 'Tenir compte de' means to take something into account, often with a nuance of considering it in your decision. 'Prendre en compte' is similar but slightly more formal and common in administrative or professional French. Examples: 'Je tiens compte de votre remarque.' (I'm taking your remark into account.) 'Nous prenons en compte vos suggestions.' (We are taking your suggestions into account.) When the object is already known, use the pronoun 'en': 'J'en tiens compte.' or 'J'en prends note.' Note that 'prendre note' does not take 'en' in the same way; you say 'Je prends note' or 'J'en prends note' but 'prendre note de quelque chose' is also possible: 'Je prends note de votre remarque.'
When to use it
Use these phrases when you receive criticism, negative feedback, or a complaint and you want to acknowledge it calmly without promising to change or arguing back. For example, if your boss says 'Ton rapport était trop vague' (Your report was too vague), you can reply 'Je vais en tenir compte pour le prochain.' (I'll take that on board for the next one.) If a client complains 'Le service était lent' (The service was slow), a calm reply is 'J'en prends note, merci.' (I'll make a note of that, thank you.) Avoid using 'Je comprends' (I understand) alone, as it can sound like you are dismissing the feedback or saying 'I understand, but I disagree.' Always add a phrase like 'je vais en tenir compte' to show you are taking it seriously.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
J'ai trouvé ta présentation un peu confuse. Tu as perdu le fil plusieurs fois.
I found your presentation a bit confusing. You lost your thread several times.zhay troo-vay tah pray-zahn-tah-syon uhn puh kohn-fooz. tew ah pair-dew luh feel ploo-zyur fwah.D'accord, je vais en tenir compte pour la prochaine fois. Merci de me l'avoir dit.
Okay, I'll take that on board for next time. Thanks for telling me.dah-kor, zhuh vay ahn tuh-neer koh(n)t poor lah proh-shen fwah. mair-see duh muh lah-vwahr dee.Tu pourrais aussi préparer des diapositives plus claires.
You could also prepare clearer slides.tew poo-ray oh-see pray-pah-ray day dyah-poh-zee-teev ploo klair.C'est noté. Je vais y réfléchir et voir ce que je peux améliorer.
Noted. I'll think about it and see what I can improve.say noh-tay. zhuh vay ee ray-flay-sheer ay vwahr suh kuh zhuh puh zay-may-lyoh-ray.A little context goes a long way
In French professional settings, acknowledging feedback with 'je vais en tenir compte' is seen as measured and mature. Over-apologising ('Je suis vraiment désolé, je suis nul') can be perceived as unprofessional or manipulative. A calm 'C'est noté' or 'J'en prends note' is often sufficient. In more informal contexts among friends, 'OK, je note' or 'Je vois' works, but avoid 'Mouais' (yeah, right), which sounds dismissive. In Quebec, 'C'est noté' is also common, but you may hear 'Je vais prendre ça en note' in casual speech.
One thing to watch for
Using 'Je comprends' as a standalone response to negative feedback, thinking it means 'I'll take that on board.'
Try this instead: 'Je comprends' means 'I understand' and can sound like you are closing the discussion or implying 'I understand, but I don't agree.' Instead, say 'Je vais en tenir compte' or 'J'en prends note' to show you are taking the feedback into account. For example: 'Je comprends votre point de vue, et je vais en tenir compte.' This combines acknowledgement with a forward-looking action.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1Your colleague says your email was too abrupt. What is a calm, professional French phrase to acknowledge this without promising to change immediately?
Show a sample answer
Je vais en tenir compte.
This means 'I'll take that on board.' It acknowledges the feedback and implies you will consider it, without committing to a specific change. 'J'en prends note' is also correct and slightly more formal.
2Which phrase is more formal: 'Je prends en compte ce que vous dites' or 'C'est noté'?
Show a sample answer
Je prends en compte ce que vous dites.
This full sentence is more formal and explicit, suitable for a meeting with a superior or client. 'C'est noté' is shorter and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but may sound brusque if not softened.
3Translate into French: 'I'll think about it' as a response to feedback, using a phrase that does not commit you to action.
Show a sample answer
Je vais y réfléchir.
This is a standard way to buy time and show you are considering the feedback. 'Je vais réfléchir' is also possible but less precise; 'y' refers to the feedback already mentioned.
To respond calmly to negative feedback in French, use 'Je vais en tenir compte' or 'J'en prends note' instead of 'Je comprends' alone. Keep your tone neutral and avoid over-apologising.
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