بالقياس على المراجعة
bi-l-qiyas ala al-muraja'a
By analogy with the review
Literally: By measurement upon the review
In 15 Seconds
- Applying the logic of a past review to a new situation.
- A high-level C2 expression used for logical consistency and precedents.
- Rooted in classical Arabic legal reasoning and formal administrative language.
Meaning
This phrase is a sophisticated way of saying 'following the same logic as the previous check' or 'applying the same standard we used before.' It suggests that because a specific rule or observation was made during a review, it should also apply to the current situation.
Key Examples
3 of 7In a corporate budget meeting
بالقياس على المراجعة المالية الأخيرة، سنخفض ميزانية التسويق.
By analogy with the recent financial review, we will reduce the marketing budget.
A professor explaining a grading system
سيتم تصحيح هذه الورقة بالقياس على المراجعة السابقة للمعايير.
This paper will be graded by analogy with the previous review of the criteria.
Comparing two legal cases
بالقياس على المراجعة القضائية، نجد أن الحكم يجب أن يكون مماثلاً.
By analogy with the judicial review, we find the verdict should be similar.
Cultural Background
In many Arab countries, the legal system is a mix of Civil Law and Sharia. 'Qiyas' remains a fundamental intellectual tool for judges to fill gaps in legislation. In Gulf business culture, formal language is a sign of respect and education. Using high-level MSA phrases in meetings can significantly boost your professional standing. Arabic academic writing is notoriously formal. Phrases like this are used to maintain an objective, logical distance between the researcher and the subject. Government paperwork often uses 'frozen' formulas that haven't changed in decades. This phrase is part of that administrative 'DNA'.
The 'Ala' Rule
Always remember the preposition 'ala'. If you use 'ma'a' or 'li', you lose the 'logical' flavor and it just sounds like a translation error.
Don't Overuse
In a 10-minute speech, use this once or twice maximum. It is a heavy tool; using it too much makes your speech feel cluttered.
In 15 Seconds
- Applying the logic of a past review to a new situation.
- A high-level C2 expression used for logical consistency and precedents.
- Rooted in classical Arabic legal reasoning and formal administrative language.
What It Means
Imagine you are looking at two very similar tasks. You already finished checking the first one and found a specific error. Instead of explaining the whole logic again for the second task, you simply say بالقياس على المراجعة. It means 'let's apply the same logic we just used.' It is about consistency and logical deduction. You are basically saying that the two situations are twins. If the rule worked for the first one, it must work for the second.
How To Use It
You use this phrase to bridge two ideas. It usually comes at the start of a sentence or after a comma. You are pointing back to a previous audit, review, or study. It makes you sound very analytical and precise. In a professional setting, it shows you have a sharp eye for patterns. You aren't just guessing; you are using established precedents. It is like saying 'per the previous example' but with more intellectual weight.
When To Use It
This is a heavy-hitter for the office or university. Use it during a performance review to compare different quarters. It is perfect for legal discussions where precedents matter. If you are a student, use it in your thesis to link different data sets. Even in a serious family discussion about budgets, it works well. It shows you are being fair and consistent. It is the 'gold standard' for making a logical argument.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this while haggling over the price of tomatoes at the market. The vendor will think you are reading from a textbook. It is far too stiff for a casual coffee date with a crush. Avoid it in high-emotion situations where logic isn't the priority. If your friend is crying about a breakup, don't say بالقياس على المراجعة of your last ex. That is a one-way ticket to being blocked. Keep it for when brains, not hearts, are leading the way.
Cultural Background
The word القياس (Qiyas) is a massive concept in Arabic culture and history. It is one of the four sources of Islamic jurisprudence (Fiqh). It involves finding a solution for a new problem by comparing it to an old one. Because of this, the phrase carries a sense of authority and deep-rooted logic. It isn't just 'corporate speak'; it is part of a long tradition of legal reasoning. Using it correctly shows a high level of linguistic and cultural mastery.
Common Variations
You might hear people say قياساً على ذلك which means 'measuring against that.' Another common one is بناءً على المراجعة السابقة which is slightly simpler. If you want to be even more formal, you could say استناداً إلى نتائج المراجعة. However, بالقياس على المراجعة remains the most elegant way to imply a direct logical parallel. It suggests a 1:1 relationship between the two scenarios.
Usage Notes
This is a C2-level expression primarily found in formal writing, legal documents, and high-level business meetings. It requires a solid grasp of Modern Standard Arabic and should be avoided in purely social or informal settings.
The 'Ala' Rule
Always remember the preposition 'ala'. If you use 'ma'a' or 'li', you lose the 'logical' flavor and it just sounds like a translation error.
Don't Overuse
In a 10-minute speech, use this once or twice maximum. It is a heavy tool; using it too much makes your speech feel cluttered.
The Power of Precedent
In Arab professional life, showing that you have 'reviewed' (Muraja'ah) the past is often more persuasive than proposing something entirely new.
Examples
7بالقياس على المراجعة المالية الأخيرة، سنخفض ميزانية التسويق.
By analogy with the recent financial review, we will reduce the marketing budget.
The speaker is using the previous review as a justification for a new decision.
سيتم تصحيح هذه الورقة بالقياس على المراجعة السابقة للمعايير.
This paper will be graded by analogy with the previous review of the criteria.
Ensures the student that the grading is consistent with established standards.
بالقياس على المراجعة القضائية، نجد أن الحكم يجب أن يكون مماثلاً.
By analogy with the judicial review, we find the verdict should be similar.
Used to argue for legal consistency based on a previous case.
هل يمكننا تنفيذ هذه الخطوة بالقياس على المراجعة التي قمنا بها أمس؟
Can we execute this step by analogy with the review we did yesterday?
A slightly more practical, yet still professional, application in text.
بالقياس على المراجعة لغرفتك، أتوقع أن المطبخ في حالة فوضى أيضاً!
By analogy with the review of your room, I expect the kitchen is also a mess!
Uses a very formal phrase for a silly domestic observation.
بالقياس على المراجعة التقنية، يبدو أن الخلل في الخادم الرئيسي.
By analogy with the technical review, it seems the flaw is in the main server.
Linking a current bug to a previously diagnosed issue.
بالقياس على المراجعة لوعودك السابقة، من الصعب أن أصدقك الآن.
By analogy with the review of your previous promises, it's hard to believe you now.
Using formal logic to express a personal, emotional lack of trust.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing preposition.
تم اتخاذ القرار بالقياس ____ المراجعة السنوية.
The phrase 'بالقياس على' always uses the preposition 'على'.
Which sentence is most appropriate for a formal legal brief?
Select the best option:
This option uses the correct formal register and logical structure.
Match the Arabic phrase with its English equivalent.
Match the following:
These are standard formal translations.
Complete the dialogue in a formal tone.
Manager: هل هذا الإجراء قانوني؟ Employee: نعم، ________ نجد أنه يتوافق مع المعايير.
The context is a formal workplace, requiring the C2 expression.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesتم اتخاذ القرار بالقياس ____ المراجعة السنوية.
The phrase 'بالقياس على' always uses the preposition 'على'.
Select the best option:
This option uses the correct formal register and logical structure.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are standard formal translations.
Manager: هل هذا الإجراء قانوني؟ Employee: نعم، ________ نجد أنه يتوافق مع المعايير.
The context is a formal workplace, requiring the C2 expression.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, it is very rare in daily life. You will hear it in news, courts, and big business meetings.
Yes, if the email is formal and concerns a decision based on a previous report or audit.
'Qiyas' is about applying a rule from one thing to another. 'Muqaranah' is just looking at two things to see how they are different.
In this context, yes. In other contexts, it can mean 'studying' or 'visiting a government office'.
The word 'Qiyas' has religious roots, but the phrase itself is used in secular law and business today.
It is a deep 'K' sound from the back of the throat (the letter Qaf).
It is grammatically weaker. 'بالقياس على' is the standard and most respected form.
It might sound a bit too advanced. B1 students should focus on 'بناءً على' (based on) first.
Something like 'خروجاً عن المألوف' (departing from the norm) or 'حالة استثنائية' (an exceptional case).
It is understood by all because it is MSA, but it is not 'native' to any specific dialect's casual speech.
Related Phrases
بناءً على ما سبق
builds onBased on the above
قياساً على ذلك
similarAnalogously to that
على غرار
similarIn the style of / similar to
تطبيقاً لمبدأ
specialized formIn application of the principle of...
