s-u-a-q
SUAQ is a variant spelling of SUQ, meaning a marketplace or bazaar in Arab countries. This Q-ending word is a strategic play in Scrabble, worth 13 base points and allowing unique placement opportunities.
13
Points in Scrabble
Base tile values • No multipliers applied
SUAQ (also spelled SUQ, SOUK, or SOUQ) is a marketplace, bazaar, or commercial quarter in Arab, Berber, and Islamic cities. These traditional markets are characterized by narrow covered streets lined with shops and stalls selling everything from spices and textiles to jewelry and household goods.
Key features of a suaq include:
In Scrabble and word games, SUAQ is valuable for several reasons: it's one of the rare words ending in Q, it doesn't require U after Q (though it contains U elsewhere), and at 13 points, it provides solid scoring potential. The unusual Q placement at the end makes it particularly useful for creating perpendicular plays.
SUAQ derives from the Arabic word سوق (sūq), meaning "market" or "marketplace." The root verb ساق (sāqa) means "to drive" or "to push forward," referring to driving goods to market or the flow of commerce.
The various spellings in English reflect different transliteration systems:
The word entered English through trade contacts and colonial administration in the Middle East and North Africa. Famous suaqs like the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, Khan el-Khalili in Cairo, and the souks of Marrakech have made the term familiar to Western travelers and traders since medieval times.
Gold Suaq - Specialized market section for precious metals and jewelry, often the most secure area.
Spice Suaq - Aromatic market areas selling herbs, spices, and traditional medicines.
Khan - A caravanserai or inn within a suaq where traveling merchants would stay.
Covered Suaq - Markets with vaulted ceilings or canvas coverings, essential in hot climates.
•SUAQ is one of the few English words that ends with the letter Q
•The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is one of the oldest suaqs, operating since 1461
•Traditional suaqs are organized by trade - all goldsmiths in one area, all spice merchants in another
•In Scrabble, words ending in Q are extremely rare and valuable for strategic play
•Playing SUAQ with the Q on a triple letter score yields 30 points just for that tile
"We spent hours wandering through the ancient suaq, bargaining for spices and textiles."
"The gold suaq in Dubai is famous for its dazzling displays of jewelry."
"She played SUAQ using the Q at the end, creating three new words with the perpendicular plays."
"The covered suaq provided welcome relief from the desert sun."
Spelling Confusion: SUAQ, SUQ, SOUK are all valid - choose based on available tiles.
Q Placement: Don't miss the opportunity to use Q at the end for cross-plays.
Pronunciation: It's pronounced "SOOK" regardless of spelling.
Dictionary Check: Verify which spelling variants your game accepts.