q-i-n-d-a-r
QINDAR is the monetary subunit of Albania, equal to 1/100 of a lek. This rare Q-without-U word is a Scrabble powerhouse, worth 16 base points due to the high-value Q tile (10 points). From Albanian currency to word game victory, QINDAR exemplifies how international monetary terms enrich competitive vocabulary.
High-scoring Q-without-U word worth 16 base points
16
Points in Scrabble
Base tile values • No multipliers applied
💡 Pro Tip:
QINDAR is one of the precious Q-without-U words. The Q tile alone is worth 10 points, making this word invaluable when you're stuck with Q but no U.
A qindar (plural: qindarka) is the fractional monetary unit of Albania, representing one hundredth of an Albanian lek. This term entered English through Albanian currency nomenclature, where "qindarkë" derives from "qind" meaning "hundred." In the world of competitive word games, however, QINDAR holds far greater value than its monetary worth—it's one of the coveted Q-without-U words that can rescue players from the notorious Q-tile predicament, where drawing Q without its usual partner U typically spells disaster.
The Albanian monetary system adopted the lek as its primary currency in 1926, with the qindar as its subdivision. Like cents to dollars or pence to pounds, qindarka serve as the small change of Albania. However, inflation has rendered the qindar largely obsolete in practical commerce—prices are typically rounded to the nearest lek. Yet this humble coin lives on vibrantly in word games, where its unusual letter combination makes it worth far more than its face value.
In Scrabble and similar games, QINDAR belongs to an elite group of Q-without-U words that violate English's typical orthographic patterns. Most English words containing Q follow the Latin-derived rule requiring U after Q (queen, quick, quote). But languages that English borrowed from—Arabic, Chinese, Albanian, Hebrew—don't follow this convention. QINDAR thus joins QI, QAT, QANAT, QOPH, and other linguistic imports in providing crucial flexibility for Q-tile management.
The strategic importance of knowing QINDAR cannot be overstated. Drawing Q without U occurs in approximately 6% of Scrabble games, potentially crippling a player's rack. The Q tile's 10-point value makes it simultaneously desirable and dangerous—high reward if playable, dead weight if not. QINDAR transforms this liability into an asset, offering 16 base points while clearing the problematic Q. Expert players memorize all Q-without-U words as essential defensive knowledge.
Beyond its gaming utility, QINDAR illustrates how global economics enriches English vocabulary. Every currency system contributes specialized terms: dollar and cent from early American Dutch, pound and penny from Old English, peso from Spanish, rupee from Sanskrit. These monetary migrations create unexpected linguistic opportunities. A word describing Albanian pocket change becomes a tournament-winning play in Toronto or Texas, demonstrating language's delightful unpredictability.
The word also highlights English's role as a linguistic magpie, collecting useful terms from worldwide sources. Dictionary compilers must decide which foreign currency terms warrant inclusion. QINDAR made the cut for major English dictionaries, unlike many other fractional currency units. This inclusion reflects both Albania's historical connections to English-speaking nations and lexicographers' recognition that unusual letter combinations serve valuable purposes in word games.
For word game enthusiasts, QINDAR represents more than points—it's a symbol of linguistic diversity and strategic depth. Mastering such words separates casual players from serious competitors. The satisfaction of playing QINDAR extends beyond its score; it demonstrates vocabulary knowledge that spans continents and currencies. In this way, a small Albanian coin enriches English-language gameplay, proving that in word games, as in language itself, value comes from the most unexpected sources.
QINDAR enters English through Albanian "qindarkë," built from "qind" meaning "hundred" plus the diminutive suffix "-arkë." This construction parallels "percent" (per hundred) and "century" (hundred years), revealing how Indo-European languages consistently use "hundred" as a fundamental organizing principle. The Albanian root "qind" shares ancient connections with Latin "centum," Sanskrit "śata," and the Proto-Indo-European *ḱm̥tóm, all meaning "hundred."
Albanian itself tells a fascinating linguistic story. As the sole surviving branch of its Indo-European subfamily, Albanian preserves ancient features lost in other European languages. When Albania modernized its currency in 1926, it needed terms for decimal subdivisions. Rather than borrowing foreign words, Albanian constructed "qindarkë" from native roots, demonstrating linguistic sovereignty. This choice parallels how Turkish created "kuruş" and Hebrew revived "agora"—new nations asserting identity through monetary vocabulary.
The word's journey into English dictionaries reflects 20th-century globalization. As international commerce expanded, English accumulated currency terms from trading partners. QINDAR joined this monetary lexicon alongside kopeck (Russian), fils (Arabic), and sen (Japanese). Dictionary inclusion required meeting specific criteria: attestation in English texts, sustained usage, and lexicographic need. QINDAR satisfied all three, especially after word game players discovered its Q-without-U utility.
The Q-without-U phenomenon deserves linguistic examination. English inherited Latin's Q-U partnership through Norman French, making "qu" seem natural to English speakers. But this pairing is actually quite rare globally. Arabic uses qaf (ق) independently, Chinese pinyin uses Q for a "ch" sound, and Albanian uses Q for a palatalized K. When English borrows from these languages, it preserves their Q-without-U spellings, creating precious exceptions for word game players.
QINDAR's plural form follows Albanian grammar: qindarka. This retention of foreign pluralization parallels other borrowings like "alumni," "phenomena," and "cherubim." However, English speakers often apply regular English pluralization, creating "qindars." Both forms appear in dictionaries, showing how borrowed words gradually naturalize. This dual plurality offers word game players additional flexibility—QINDARS provides a 7-letter option for bingo bonuses.
The word's specialized usage creates interesting sociolinguistic patterns. Outside Albania, QINDAR appears primarily in three contexts: numismatic catalogs, currency exchange tables, and word game discussions. This limited distribution might typically doom a word to obsolescence. Yet QINDAR thrives precisely because word games provide a linguistic ecosystem where rare letter combinations confer survival advantage. In Scrabble forums and strategy guides, QINDAR enjoys more frequent use than in financial publications—a peculiar immortality for a nearly worthless coin.
"The price was 350 lek and 50 qindarka at the Tirana market."
Monetary context - Albanian currency
"Drawing Q without U seemed disastrous until I remembered QINDAR."
Word game context
"Inflation has made the qindar virtually worthless in Albania."
Economic context
"She played QINDAR across two double-letter scores for 38 points!"
Strategic game play
Total base points: 16 (Scrabble)
Vowels: 2 | Consonants: 4
Currency Subdivisions:
Fractional Units:
Related Q-Without-U Words:
Albania's currency system follows a decimal structure: 1 lek = 100 qindarka. Introduced in 1926, the lek replaced the Turkish piastre as Albania gained monetary independence. The name "lek" honors Alexander the Great (Leka in Albanian), whose image appeared on early coins. While qindarka coins once circulated widely, inflation has relegated them to history. The smallest denomination now in practical use is the 5 lek coin, making the qindar more valuable in Scrabble than in commerce.
Mastering Q-without-U words transforms Scrabble strategy. These words derive from languages where Q represents different sounds than English's "kw." Arabic contributes most: QAT, QADI, QAID, QANAT. Chinese gives us QI. Hebrew adds QOPH. And Albanian provides QINDAR and QINTAR. Together, these imports rescue players from the dreaded Q-without-U predicament.
Essential Q-Without-U Words:
Strategic Benefits:
QINDAR is your insurance policy against Q-without-U disasters. With 16 base points, it turns a potential liability into a scoring opportunity. The word's value extends beyond points—it prevents getting stuck with an unplayable Q (10-point penalty) at game's end. Smart players keep QINDAR in their mental toolkit alongside QI and QAT.
Position Q on premium squares for maximum impact. Triple letter score under Q yields 30 points from that tile alone. The word's common letters (I,N,D,A,R) facilitate crosswords. Look for opportunities to play through existing words—the -AR ending works well with verbs (PLAY-AR = PLAYAR doesn't work, but QIND-AR through an existing AR creates multiple words).
💡 Championship Tip:
In tournament play, knowing QINDAR provides psychological advantage. Opponents may avoid blocking spots where you could play high-value Q words, not realizing you have Q-without-U options. This implicit threat creates board control. Additionally, QINDARS (plural) offers a 7-letter bingo possibility if you draw Q-I-N-D-A-R-S.
World currencies provide excellent Scrabble vocabulary. Like QINDAR, many monetary terms offer unusual letter combinations and solid point values. From KOPECK (Russian) to XEREZ (old Spanish), currency words reflect global linguistic diversity. Smart players study these terms—they're legitimate English dictionary entries that opponents rarely challenge.
High-Value Currency Words
ZLOTY (17), XEREZ (21), KOPECK (18), QINDAR (16)
Common Currency Words
PESO (6), LIRA (4), DINAR (6), RUPEE (7), YUAN (7)
Unusual Letter Combinations
HRYVNIA (Ukrainian), NGULTRUM (Bhutan), OUGUIYA (Mauritania)
Forgetting QINDARS Plural
QINDARS is valid for 17 points! Don't miss this 7-letter opportunity if you have the right tiles. Both QINDARS (English) and QINDARKA (Albanian) are accepted.
Not Learning All Q-Without-U Words
QINDAR is important, but also memorize QI, QAT, QADI, QAID, QANAT, QINTAR, and QOPH. This complete set provides maximum flexibility with Q tiles.
Mispronunciation Leading to Misspelling
It's QINDAR, not QUINDAR or QINDER. The I comes before the N. Remember: Q-I-N-D-A-R, like "coin" + "dar."
Wasting Q on Low Scores
Don't play QINDAR for base points alone. Wait for premium squares or setup plays. Q on a triple letter score adds 20 points—patience pays.
Master these essential Q words for maximum flexibility
QINDARS
17 points
QADIS
15 points
QINTAR
15 points
QANAT
14 points
QADI
14 points
QAID
14 points
QAT
12 points
QI
11 points
Practice unscrambling letters to find more high-scoring words like QINDAR