Scrabble Secrets: The Complete List of 4-Letter 'Q' Words Without a 'U'

You've drawn the dreaded Q tile in Scrabble. It's worth 10 points—the highest of any letter—but there's a catch: you don't have a U to go with it. For most players, this feels like a death sentence. The Q sits on your rack, mocking you, as you desperately search for a way to play it before the game ends.

But here's the secret that separates good Scrabble players from great ones: you don't always need a U.

There's a small but mighty collection of words borrowed from other languages that break the traditional "QU" rule. Master these, and you'll turn one of Scrabble's biggest liabilities into a powerful weapon.

Why Does Q Usually Need U?

Before we dive into the list, a quick linguistics lesson.

The "QU" pairing is a holdover from Latin, where the letter Q was always followed by U (think aqua, queen, quest). This convention carried over into English and most Romance languages.

However, English has borrowed words from languages that don't follow this rule—particularly Arabic, Hebrew, and Chinese. In these languages, the "Q" sound (a guttural stop) exists independently. When these words entered English dictionaries, they kept their original spelling.

This is great news for Scrabble players.

The Complete List: 4-Letter Q Words Without U

Here is every valid 4-letter word containing Q but no U that you can play in Scrabble. We've included the Scrabble point value, origin, and a brief definition for each.

QADI — 14 Points ⚖️

• Pronunciation: KAH-dee
• Origin: Arabic (قاضي)
• Definition: An Islamic judge who interprets and administers religious law (Sharia). In many Muslim countries, qadis handle matters of family law, inheritance, and religious disputes.
• Alternate Spelling: Also spelled "cadi" in some dictionaries.
• Tip: Remember "QADI judges" to link the word to its meaning.

QAID — 14 Points 👑

• Pronunciation: KIDE (rhymes with "hide")
• Origin: Arabic (قائد)
• Definition: A Muslim judge or chief; sometimes used to refer to a tribal leader or local governor in North Africa. Historically, qaid was a title used across the Ottoman Empire.
• Tip: QAID and QADI are easy to confuse. Think of QAID as the "leader" (the 'D' at the end stands for "Director").

QATS — 13 Points 🌿

• Pronunciation: KAHTS
• Origin: Arabic (قات)
• Definition: The plural of "qat" (also spelled "khat"), a shrub native to East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Its leaves are chewed as a stimulant, similar to caffeine or mild amphetamines.
• Note: While controversial in some regions, qat chewing is a centuries-old social tradition in Yemen and Ethiopia.
• Tip: If you have a Q and an S, QATS is often your easiest out.

QOPH — 18 Points 🔠

• Pronunciation: KOHF
• Origin: Hebrew (קוף)
• Definition: The 19th letter of the Hebrew alphabet (ק). It represents a voiceless uvular stop sound that doesn't exist in standard English.
• Scrabble Bonus: This word scores 18 points before any multipliers! The combination of Q (10), O (1), P (3), and H (4) makes it one of the highest-scoring 4-letter Q words.
• Tip: Know your Hebrew letters—QOPH, ALEPH, BETH, and GIMEL can all save you in tight spots.

FIQH — 19 Points 📚

• Pronunciation: FIK (short 'i' as in "fix")
• Origin: Arabic (فقه)
• Definition: Islamic jurisprudence—the body of religious law derived from the Quran and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad. Fiqh covers everything from prayer rituals to business ethics.
• Scrabble Bonus: With F (4) + I (1) + Q (10) + H (4), this word scores an impressive 19 points! It's one of the highest base scores for any 4-letter word.
• Tip: This is a scholarly word. Think of "fiqh" as the "philosophy" of Islamic law.

WAQF — 19 Points 🕌

• Pronunciation: WAHKF
• Origin: Arabic (وقف)
• Definition: An Islamic charitable endowment—property or assets donated for religious or charitable purposes in perpetuity. Waqf institutions have historically funded mosques, schools, and hospitals across the Muslim world.
• Scrabble Bonus: Another 19-point word! W (4) + A (1) + Q (10) + F (4) = 19.
• Tip: "Waqf" sounds like "walk"—imagine walking to a charity to donate.

CINQ — 16 Points 🃏

• Pronunciation: SANK (French pronunciation)
• Origin: French
• Definition: The French word for "five." In English, it specifically refers to the five-pip side of a die or a playing card with five pips.
• Note: ⚠️ User Beware! This word is valid in international Scrabble (Collins Scrabble Words) but IS NOT accepted in North American tournament play (NASPA Word List). Always check which dictionary your game uses!
• Tip: Remember "CINQ = CINCO = 5" to link it to the Spanish word for five.

Quick Reference Table

Strategic Tips for Playing Q Without U

Now that you know the words, here's how to use them effectively:

1. Memorize in Pairs

The easiest way to remember these words is by grouping them:

• The Two Leaders: QADI (judge) and QAID (chief)
• The Two 19-Pointers: FIQH and WAQF
• The Plant: QATS
• The Hebrew Letter: QOPH

2. Look for the Letters You Need

When you have a Q without U, immediately scan for these letters:

• A, I, D → QADI, QAID
• A, T, S → QATS
• O, P, H → QOPH
• I, F, H → FIQH
• A, W, F → WAQF

3. Use Premium Squares

Since Q is already worth 10 points, placing it on a Double or Triple Letter Score can be devastating:

• QOPH on a Double Letter = 28+ points
• FIQH on a Triple Word = 57 points!

4. Don't Panic

If you can't play your Q, don't dump it immediately. Sometimes the right letters will come. Many top Scrabble players hold onto their Q for several turns, waiting for the perfect opportunity.

Beyond 4 Letters: Other Q-Without-U Words

The 4-letter words above are the most useful, but Scrabble dictionaries contain other lengths too:

2-3 Letter Words

• QI (2 letters, 11 points): The most famous Q-without-U word! It means "life force" in Chinese philosophy.

5+ Letter Words

• QADIS (15 points): Plural of qadi
• QAIDS (15 points): Plural of qaid
• QOPHS (19 points): Plural of qoph
• QORMA (16 points): A type of South Asian curry (also spelled "korma")
• TRANQ (14 points): Short for tranquilizer

Want to explore more? Use our Word Finder to search for words containing Q, or browse our complete Q Words list.

Summary: Your Q-Without-U Cheat Sheet

The next time you draw a Q without a U, don't despair. You now have 7 powerful 4-letter words in your arsenal:

1. QADI (14) — Islamic judge
2. QAID (14) — Muslim leader
3. QATS (13) — Stimulant plant (plural)
4. QOPH (18) — Hebrew letter
5. FIQH (19) — Islamic law 🏆
6. WAQF (19) — Charitable endowment 🏆
7. CINQ (16) — French "five"*

*Check dictionary rules for your game

These seven words have won countless Scrabble games. Memorize them, and you'll never fear the Q tile again.

Ready to practice? Head to our Word Finder and start exploring 4-letter combinations. Who knows what other hidden gems you'll discover!