kahts
QATS is the plural form of QAT, referring to multiple portions of the leaves of a plant (Catha edulis) chewed as a mild stimulant in East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. In word games, it's a crucial Q-without-U word worth significant points.
13
Points in Scrabble
Base tile values • No multipliers applied
💡 Pro Tip:
QATS is one of the most valuable 4-letter words in Scrabble, featuring the high-scoring Q (10 pts) without needing U. This Q-without-U word is essential for competitive play—memorize it along with QAT, QI, and other Q-words that break the traditional Q-U pairing rule.
Qats represents one of the most strategically valuable words in competitive word games—a rare Q-without-U word that can transform a difficult rack into a high-scoring play. As the plural of qat (also spelled khat or kat), qats refers to multiple bundles or portions of leaves from Catha edulis, an evergreen shrub native to the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. These leaves, when chewed fresh, release cathinone and cathine, mild stimulants that produce effects similar to amphetamines but less intense.
The practice of chewing qat dates back centuries, deeply embedded in the social fabric of Yemen, Somalia, Ethiopia, and Kenya. Users typically chew fresh leaves for hours, storing them in the cheek while swallowing the juice. The effects include mild euphoria, increased alertness, talkativeness, and suppressed appetite. In Yemen, afternoon qat sessions ("qat parties") serve as important social gatherings where business, politics, and community matters are discussed. An estimated 90% of Yemeni men and 50% of women regularly chew qat.
Economically, qat cultivation dominates agriculture in producing regions. In Yemen, qat farming occupies 40% of irrigated land and consumes 30% of groundwater—a concerning figure in water-scarce regions. The qat trade generates billions annually, supporting millions of farmers, traders, and sellers. Fresh qat must reach consumers within 48 hours of harvest before losing potency, creating complex supply chains. Daily qat flights connect production areas with diaspora communities in London, Minneapolis, and other cities with East African populations.
The cultural significance of qat extends beyond mere consumption. In traditional contexts, qat sessions reinforce social bonds, facilitate conflict resolution, and maintain cultural identity. Poetry, music, and storytelling flourish during qat gatherings. However, modern usage raises concerns: the World Health Organization classifies qat as a drug of abuse, though less harmful than many substances. Some countries ban qat entirely, while others permit cultural use. The debate reflects tensions between traditional practices and contemporary health policies.
Botanically, Catha edulis thrives at altitudes of 1,500-2,000 meters in well-drained soils. The plant's glossy, serrated leaves contain highest alkaloid concentrations when young. Different varieties produce varying effects—some more stimulating, others more euphoric. Climate change threatens traditional growing regions, potentially disrupting this ancient practice. Scientific research explores qat's compounds for potential medical applications, including appetite suppression and depression treatment.
In Scrabble and word games, QATS stands as a power play waiting to happen. Worth 13 base points, this four-letter word often scores much higher through strategic placement. The Q-without-U combination makes QATS playable when traditional Q words aren't options. Competitive players consider Q-without-U words like QATS, QAT, QI, QADI, QAID, QANAT, and QOPH essential knowledge. The plural S adds flexibility, allowing players to simultaneously create QATS and add S to another word for compound scoring.
The word "qat" (plural: qats) showcases the fascinating journey of language across cultures, continents, and centuries. This term entered English through a complex path involving Arabic, African languages, and colonial encounters. The botanical stimulant it describes has been known by various names across different cultures, each reflecting local pronunciation and cultural significance.
Primary etymological sources:
The spelling variations—qat, khat, kat, gat, chat, catha, and miraa—reflect the challenge of transliterating Arabic's emphatic consonants into English. The letter ق (qaf) represents a sound absent in English, pronounced deeper in the throat than "k." Early European explorers and botanists encountered the plant through different languages, creating multiple romanizations. The scientific name Catha edulis (assigned by Peter Forsskål in 1775) derives from the Arabic khat, while edulis means "edible" in Latin.
English dictionaries first recorded "kat" in 1856, "khat" in 1889, and "qat" in 1921. The Q-spelling gained prominence in word games because Q is rarer and more valuable than K. Scrabble dictionaries accepted QAT in the 1990s, instantly making it a favorite among competitive players. The plural form QATS follows standard English pluralization, though Arabic would use different forms (qātāt for bundles).
The word's journey reflects broader patterns of cultural exchange. Arab traders introduced qat cultivation to East Africa centuries ago. Colonial administrators documented local practices using their own spelling conventions. Immigration brought qat terminology to Western cities. Today, "qat" appears in medical literature, law enforcement bulletins, anthropological studies, and—notably—word game dictionaries, each context preferring different spellings but referring to the same ancient practice.
Different spellings and regional names
Khat
Most common alternative spelling
Kat
Simplified spelling variant
Chat
Ethiopian pronunciation
Miraa
Kenyan/Swahili name
Muguka
Kenyan variant type
Jaad
Somali dialect term
Associated terms and substances
Cathinone
Active stimulant compound
Cathine
Secondary active compound
Catha edulis
Scientific plant name
Mafresh
Qat chewing session
Kayf
State induced by qat
Bundle
How qat is sold
Singular
qat
He bought fresh qat at the market.
Plural
qats
Different qats have varying potencies.
Alternative Plural
khats
The vendor sold various khats.
Possessive
qat's / qats'
The qat's effects last hours.
Q-Without-U Word Family
Social gathering for chewing
Newly harvested leaves
Specialized trading area
Standard selling unit
"The afternoon qat session brought together merchants and farmers, their cheeks bulging with fresh qats as they negotiated next season's contracts."
"At the Somali restaurant, elderly men gathered with their qats, the bitter leaves facilitating hours of animated conversation about politics and poetry."
"The cargo plane landed at dawn, its hold filled with bundled qats destined for markets across three continents."
"Rising qat prices reflected the drought's impact, with premium qats now costing more than many families' daily food budgets."
"The vendor sorted different qats by quality and origin, knowing his customers' preferences for specific regional varieties."
"Holding Q-A-T-S with no U in sight, I celebrated internally—this Q-without-U word would save my game."
"My opponent played QATS perpendicular to my AT, simultaneously forming QAT and creating a 35-point masterpiece."
"Learning QATS and other Q-without-U words transformed my Scrabble game from amateur to competitive level."
Total base points: 13 (Scrabble)
Vowels: 1 | Consonants: 3
4-letter anagrams and related words
Full anagrams:
Base word:
Contains these words:
Can form with additions:
💡 Tip: QATS works perfectly for parallel plays using AT or AS!
Essential Q-without-U words to memorize:
Qat sessions form the backbone of social life in Yemen, where an estimated 70% of the population regularly participates. These gatherings, lasting from noon until evening, serve multiple functions: business negotiations, marriage arrangements, political discussions, and artistic performances. The mafresh (qat room) becomes a democratic space where social hierarchies temporarily flatten. In Somalia and Ethiopia, similar traditions exist, with qat central to hospitality and celebration. The practice survived civil wars, economic crises, and social upheaval, demonstrating its deep cultural roots.
The qat economy dominates agriculture in producing regions, generating more income than food crops. In Yemen, qat cultivation expanded from 8,000 hectares in 1970 to over 160,000 hectares today. This lucrative crop provides livelihoods for 20% of Yemen's population but consumes 40% of the country's scarce water resources. Ethiopia exports $250 million worth annually, while Kenya's miraa trade supports entire counties. The time-sensitive nature of qat created sophisticated logistics networks, including dedicated cargo flights and distribution systems reaching global diaspora communities.
Qat's legal status varies dramatically worldwide, reflecting cultural attitudes toward traditional stimulants. The WHO classifies it as a drug of abuse, though less harmful than amphetamines. The UK banned qat in 2014, disrupting centuries-old trade routes and affecting diaspora communities. The Netherlands permits sale, becoming Europe's qat hub. The U.S. prohibits qat, though enforcement varies. Health studies show mixed results: while qat can cause insomnia and reduced productivity, it's less addictive than coffee and may have antidepressant properties. The debate continues between respecting cultural practices and addressing public health concerns.
The inclusion of QAT and QATS in official Scrabble dictionaries revolutionized Q-tile strategy. Before Q-without-U words gained acceptance, drawing a Q without U often meant a lost game. Now, words like QATS enable players to score significantly with otherwise difficult tiles. Competitive players study Q-without-U words intensively, recognizing them as game-changers. Online word games report that QATS ranks among the most-played four-letter words starting with Q. This linguistic artifact from ancient trade routes now influences millions of word game outcomes daily.
Q Doesn't Need U!
QATS breaks the Q-U rule
Valid Plural Form
QATS is the correct plural of QAT
All Dictionaries
Accepted in TWL, SOWPODS, CSW
Not an Abbreviation
Full word from Arabic origin
Other valuable Q-without-U words in Scrabble
Practice unscrambling letters to find more high-scoring words like QATS