Krahasim

Krahasim is a term used in Malay-language linguistic and literary discourse to refer to the act or process of making comparisons between two or more entities. It encompasses identifying similarities, differences, or relationships that help explain or illustrate a point. In everyday language, krahasim may appear as parts of similes, analogies, or analytic reasoning about how things relate to one another.

In practice, krahasim covers direct and indirect forms of comparison. Direct comparison uses explicit connectors such as seperti (like), ibarat (as if), berbanding dengan (compared with), or bagai (akin to). Indirect comparison includes analogical reasoning and metaphor, where the relationship is implied rather than stated outright. The concept is important in both linguistic description and rhetorical analysis, because how a comparison is framed can affect interpretation and persuasion.

In academic contexts, krahasim is discussed within fields such as linguistics, philosophy of language, literary studies, and education. It helps scholars analyze how speakers construct meaning through relational reasoning, how cultures use different comparison strategies, and how learners acquire comparative language skills. While closely related to the Indonesian term perbandingan (comparison) and to analogi and metafora, krahasim remains a common label in Malay-language texts for exploring the mechanics and effects of comparative thought and expression. See also: perbandingan, analogi, metafora, simile.