كل واحد له قيمة
kull wahid lah qima
Everyone has value
Literally: Every one to him value
In 15 Seconds
- A phrase asserting that every person deserves respect and has worth.
- Used to defend the marginalized or humble the arrogant.
- Rooted in the core cultural value of human dignity (Karama).
Meaning
This phrase is a warm reminder that every human being has inherent worth. It is used to emphasize dignity and respect for everyone, regardless of their social status or job.
Key Examples
3 of 6Defending a service worker
لا تغضب منه، كل واحد له قيمة في هذا المجتمع.
Don't get angry at him; everyone has value in this society.
Encouraging a discouraged friend
لا تقل ذلك عن نفسك، كل واحد له قيمة.
Don't say that about yourself; everyone has value.
In a professional meeting
نريد أن نسمع من الجميع، فكل واحد له قيمة هنا.
We want to hear from everyone, as everyone has value here.
Cultural Background
In the Levant, this phrase is often linked to the concept of 'Ahl' (family/people). To have value is to be part of the social fabric. Egyptians often use 'Nafs' (soul/self) in conjunction with value. They might say 'Kull nafs liha 'azmetha' (Every soul has its greatness). In the Gulf, 'Qadr' (status/destiny) is often used interchangeably with 'Qimah'. It implies a respect for one's lineage and personhood. The phrase is often used to emphasize social solidarity and the 'Haq' (right) of every citizen to be respected.
Use it to diffuse tension
If someone is being arrogant, saying this phrase calmly can remind them of social etiquette without being aggressive.
Religious context
In religious circles, adding 'Inda Allah' (with God) at the end makes it very powerful.
In 15 Seconds
- A phrase asserting that every person deserves respect and has worth.
- Used to defend the marginalized or humble the arrogant.
- Rooted in the core cultural value of human dignity (Karama).
What It Means
Imagine you are sitting in a busy cafe. You see the manager, the waiter, and the person cleaning the floors. In Arabic culture, this phrase acts as a moral compass. It means that nobody is 'extra' or 'useless' in this world. Every person has a unique spark and a role to play. It is a beautiful, simple truth that levels the playing field. When you say this, you are acknowledging the soul of the person. You are saying that their existence matters just as much as anyone else's. It is a very grounding and humbling thing to say or hear.
How To Use It
You can use this phrase to ground a conversation. Say it when you see someone being overlooked or ignored. It is a great way to advocate for kindness without being preachy. You can use it to humble someone who is acting a bit too arrogant. Or, you can use it to lift up a friend who feels small. It works best when said with a calm, sincere tone. You do not need to shout it. The weight of the words does the work for you. It is like giving a small verbal hug to humanity.
When To Use It
Use it at work when a junior staff member is being ignored. Use it with your friends when discussing social issues or fairness. It fits perfectly when someone feels discouraged about their life path. If you are at a restaurant and someone is being rude to the staff, say this. It is a gentle way to remind people to be better. It is also great for texting a friend who had a bad day. It reminds them that they are important even if they feel like they failed.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this phrase to excuse a specific, dangerous mistake. It is about worth, not about being right or wrong in a task. Avoid using it in a sarcastic way during an argument. That might sound very condescending and mean. Do not use it if someone is asking for specific technical feedback. They need advice, not a philosophical reminder of their human value. Also, do not use it to dismiss someone's valid complaints about a specific person's behavior. Worth is inherent, but actions still have consequences.
Cultural Background
Hospitality and community are the heart of the Arab world. Every guest is traditionally treated like royalty, no matter who they are. This phrase reflects that deep-seated respect for the 'human' element. In many Arabic-speaking societies, your 'value' is not just your bank account. It is your character, your family, and your presence in the community. This expression has been a staple for generations. It helps maintain social harmony in very diverse settings. It is a verbal bridge that connects people from all walks of life.
Common Variations
You might hear people say لكل شخص قدره which means 'every person has their status.' However, that can sometimes imply a hierarchy. كل واحد له قيمة is much more egalitarian and kind. In some dialects, you might hear كل زول له ميزة in Sudan. Or كل واحد وعنده دوره in Egypt, meaning 'everyone has their role.' But the version we are looking at is the most universal. It is understood from Morocco to Iraq. It is the gold standard for expressing human dignity.
Usage Notes
This phrase is incredibly versatile. It sits perfectly in the 'neutral' register, meaning you won't sound too stiff in a cafe, nor too casual in a meeting. Just ensure your delivery is sincere.
Use it to diffuse tension
If someone is being arrogant, saying this phrase calmly can remind them of social etiquette without being aggressive.
Religious context
In religious circles, adding 'Inda Allah' (with God) at the end makes it very powerful.
Examples
6لا تغضب منه، كل واحد له قيمة في هذا المجتمع.
Don't get angry at him; everyone has value in this society.
This diffuses tension by reminding the listener of shared humanity.
لا تقل ذلك عن نفسك، كل واحد له قيمة.
Don't say that about yourself; everyone has value.
A very common way to provide emotional support.
نريد أن نسمع من الجميع، فكل واحد له قيمة هنا.
We want to hear from everyone, as everyone has value here.
Used by a leader to encourage participation from junior staff.
طنشهم، أنت تعرف أن كل واحد له قيمة.
Ignore them; you know that everyone has value.
Casual way to tell someone not to let others bring them down.
حتى أنت يا كسر الصحون، كل واحد له قيمة!
Even you, Mr. Plate-Breaker, everyone has value!
Using the deep phrase to joke about someone's minor failures.
يجب أن نحترم الفقير قبل الغني، كل واحد له قيمة.
We must respect the poor before the rich; everyone has value.
A strong moral statement about social equality.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing word to complete the phrase.
لا تحتقر أحداً، فكل واحد له _______.
'Qimah' is the correct word for human worth. 'Thaman' means price, 'fulus' means money, and 'waqt' means time.
Match the response to the situation.
A friend says: 'I feel useless because I lost my job.' What is the best response?
The phrase is used here to provide emotional support and affirm the friend's worth beyond their employment status.
Complete the dialogue between a teacher and a student.
Teacher: 'لماذا تعامل زميلك هكذا؟' Student: 'لأنه لا يفعل شيئاً مفيداً.' Teacher: 'هذا خطأ، _______.'
The teacher is correcting the student's lack of respect by asserting the classmate's inherent worth.
🎉 Score: /3
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
3 exercisesلا تحتقر أحداً، فكل واحد له _______.
'Qimah' is the correct word for human worth. 'Thaman' means price, 'fulus' means money, and 'waqt' means time.
A friend says: 'I feel useless because I lost my job.' What is the best response?
The phrase is used here to provide emotional support and affirm the friend's worth beyond their employment status.
Teacher: 'لماذا تعامل زميلك هكذا؟' Student: 'لأنه لا يفعل شيئاً مفيداً.' Teacher: 'هذا خطأ، _______.'
The teacher is correcting the student's lack of respect by asserting the classmate's inherent worth.
🎉 Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
2 questionsNot at all! It's very common among friends to show support or to talk about people in a kind way.
Technically yes, but it's 99% used for humans. For animals, people usually say 'Kull ruh liha qimah' (Every soul has value).
Related Phrases
قيمة مضافة
specialized formAdded value
حفظ ماء الوجه
similarSaving face
الناس سواسية
synonymPeople are equal
