Klingon uses several specific constructions for comparing one thing to another. These constructions allow for expressing "more than," "as much as," "less than," and even rhetorical or poetic comparisons. The most common of these use the words law' ("many") and puS ("few").
Comparatives: A is more Q than B
To compare two things (A and B) based on some quality (Q), Klingon uses this formula:
A Q law' B Q puS
- la' jaq law' yaS jaq puS – The commander is bolder than the officer.
- tlhIngan qu' law' tera'ngan qu' puS – The Klingon is more fierce than the Terran.
Superlatives: A is the most Q
To say something is the greatest of all, replace B with Hoch ("all"):
- la' jaq law' Hoch jaq puS – The commander is the boldest of all.
- tlhIngan qu' law' Hoch qu' puS – The Klingon is the fiercest of all.
Equality: A is as Q as B
To show equality, use:
A Q law' B Q rap
- tlhIngan woch law' tera'ngan woch rap – The Klingon is as tall as the Terran.
A more precise form uses nIb ("be identical") instead of rap:
- tlhIngan woch law' tera'ngan woch nIb – The Klingon is exactly as tall as the Terran.
For qualitative comparisons, rap is preferred. Use nIb only for measurable precision.
Alternate Equality Form
Another way to express "A is as Q as B" is to state the quality of A, then use rap or nIb with B:
- ghun 'Iw HIq, rap boqrat chej – The bokrat liver is as warm as the bloodwine.
- 'ey ro'qegh'Iwchab, rap qagh – The gagh is as delicious as the rokeg blood pie.
- 'ugh ro'qegh'Iwchab, nIb raHta' – The racht is as heavy as the rokeg blood pie.
Same Positives or Negatives
If both things share the same quality, you can use either form:
- ro'qegh'Iwchab 'ey law' qagh 'ey law' – The rokeg blood pie is as delicious as the gagh.
- 'Iw HIq bIr puS chuch bIr puS – The bloodwine is as cold as the ice is.
The use of law'/law' emphasizes a shared positive quality, while puS/puS emphasizes a shared negative one.
Similes with rur
Similes compare unlike things using the verb rur ("resemble"):
- puj verengan; bIQ rur – The Ferengi is as weak as water.
- ghung; qagh rur – Hungry as gagh.
- HoS; 'Iw rur – Strong as blood.
Inequality: A is not as Q as B
To say that A and B do not share the same quality, use:
A Q law' B Q pIm
- QuchlIj vIl law' QuchwIj vIl pIm – Your forehead is not as ridgy as mine.
This does not imply one is more or less ridgy — only that they differ. If you want to say one is actually more, use law'/puS. To deny a comparative, use:
A Q law'be' B Q puSbe'
- QuchlIj vIl law'be' QuchwIj vIl puSbe' – Your forehead isn’t ridgier than mine.
Using law'/puS in Larger Sentences
Comparatives can be embedded in larger structures:
- [jonlu'meH] wo'maj pop tIn law' Hoch tIn puS – The bounty for his capture is the greatest in the Empire.
- [reH latlh qabDaq] qul tuj law' Hoch tuj puS – The fire is always hotter on someone else's face.
- [qIbDaq SuvwI'e'] SoH Dun law' Hoch Dun puS – You would be the greatest warrior in the galaxy.
Wordplay and Creative Comparisons
Creative or rhetorical comparisons may substitute other pairs of antonyms into the law'/puS structure. Examples:
- tlhIngan yoH HoS verengan yoH puj – The Klingon is braver than the Ferengi.
- tlhIngan yoH pIv verengan yoH rop – The Klingon is braver than the sick Ferengi.
- tlhIngan yoH Daj verengan yoH qetlh – The Klingon is braver than the dull Ferengi.
These are understood idiomatically, even if not literal. Superlatives can also use this technique:
- tlhIngan yoH HoS Hoch yoH puj – Klingons are the strongest and bravest of all.
Caution with Word Order
Some qualities carry cultural weight. For example, Klingons value difficulty (Qatlh) over ease (ngeD). In such cases, the order matters:
- tlhIngan yoH Qatlh verengan yoH ngeD – The Klingon is braver than the Ferengi.
- tlhIngan yoH ngeD verengan yoH Qatlh – The Klingon is less brave than the Ferengi. (possibly offensive!)
Creative comparisons are not universally accepted. Some Klingons stick to traditional grammar, while others are more playful. Use caution before experimenting—especially in formal or serious conversation.