x-u
XU is a Vietnamese monetary unit, equal to 1/100 of a dong. It's one of the highest-scoring 2-letter words in Scrabble and a crucial word for using the valuable X tile.
9
Points in Scrabble
Base tile values • No multipliers applied
XU represents a Vietnamese monetary unit that was historically worth 1/100 of a dong, the primary currency of Vietnam. While xu coins are no longer in circulation due to inflation, the word remains valuable in English word games as one of the highest-scoring two-letter words available.
In the context of Vietnamese currency, xu served a similar function to cents in the US dollar or pence in the British pound. The term entered English dictionaries through increased Western interaction with Vietnam during the 20th century, particularly during and after the Vietnam War.
For word game enthusiasts, XU is a strategic powerhouse. With the X tile worth 8 points in Scrabble, this two-letter word provides an efficient way to deploy one of the game's highest-value tiles. It's particularly useful for creating multiple words through perpendicular plays or for fitting into tight board spaces where longer X words won't work.
The word "xu" comes directly from Vietnamese, where it has been used since the French colonial period. The Vietnamese "xu" itself derived from the French word "sou," a small denomination coin in pre-decimal French currency.
The term entered English dictionaries in the mid-20th century as Western involvement in Vietnam increased. Its inclusion in official Scrabble dictionaries made it one of the most valuable two-letter words in the game, transforming an obscure foreign currency term into a word game staple.
Interestingly, Vietnam officially discontinued xu coins in the 1980s due to their negligible value from inflation, but the word lives on in English primarily through its use in word games rather than its original monetary context.
•XU helps players use the valuable X tile with just one other letter
•Vietnam stopped minting xu coins in the 1980s due to inflation
•It's one of the few English words borrowed directly from Vietnamese
"Playing XU on a triple letter score for the X netted me 24 points with just two letters!"
- Common Scrabble strategy
"The old xu coins are now collector's items, worth far more than their original monetary value."
- Numismatic context
Total base points: 9 (Scrabble)
Vowels: 1 | Consonants: 1
XU is arguably the most important two-letter X word in competitive play. With the X worth 8 points, it provides maximum flexibility for high-scoring plays in tight spaces.
• Parallel plays: Create XU alongside existing words for multiple scores
• Hook potential: Can be extended to XUS (plural form)
• Triple letter score: Place the X on TLS for 24 points from just the X
• Defensive play: Use XU to block opponents from premium squares
The xu coin tells a fascinating story of Vietnam's economic history. During French colonial rule (1887-1954), Vietnam adopted a currency system based on the French model, with the piastre divided into 100 cents or "xu." After independence, the dong replaced the piastre, but the xu subdivision remained.
Vietnam's rapid inflation in the 1980s and 1990s rendered xu coins essentially worthless. A single xu could barely buy a grain of rice, leading to their withdrawal from circulation. Today, prices in Vietnam are rounded to the nearest 100 or 1,000 dong, making fractional currency obsolete.
For collectors, xu coins represent tangible pieces of Vietnamese history. The aluminum coins from the 1970s and 1980s feature socialist imagery like rice stalks and the Vietnamese coat of arms, reflecting the country's political identity during that era.
In word games, XU has achieved a cultural significance far exceeding its monetary value. It's often one of the first two-letter words new players learn, alongside QI and ZA, forming a trinity of high-scoring short words that can transform a game.
XU is pronounced "soo" (like "sue"), not "zoo" or "ex-you." The pronunciation reflects its Vietnamese origin and French influence.
Many players don't realize XU has a valid plural: XUS. This can be crucial for hooks and extensions in competitive play.
Don't waste XU early in the game unless you can hit a premium square. Save it for when board space is tight or when you need to block an opponent's high-scoring opportunity.
1975: 1 xu = $0.0004 USD (could buy a small candy)
1985: 1 xu = $0.0000001 USD (essentially worthless)
Today: No longer in circulation; collector value only
In contrast, playing XU in Scrabble can be worth 9-27 poin
ts depending on placement—far more valuable than the coin ever was!Practice unscrambling letters to find more high-scoring words like XU