One Word Ends in QI — And It Changed Scrabble Forever
QI is the only English word that ends in the letters QI. It refers to the Chinese concept of vital life energy — the force that flows through all living things in traditional Chinese philosophy and medicine. You've likely heard it pronounced "chee" in the context of tai chi or acupuncture. The word was added to the Official Scrabble Players Dictionary in 2006, and it immediately became one of the most played words in competitive Scrabble. Before QI existed in the dictionary, drawing the Q tile without a nearby U was a near-catastrophe. After 2006, that Q tile became a weapon.
At 11 base points (Q=10, I=1), QI ties with ZA as the highest-scoring two-letter word in Scrabble. But QI's real power is in placement. Drop the Q on a triple-letter square and you're looking at 31 points for just two tiles. Play it parallel to an existing word so both the Q and I form valid crosswords, and a single QI play can crack 50 points. The strategic advice here is straightforward: don't waste QI on an open board. Wait for a premium square or a parallel play opportunity. That patience is usually worth an extra 15-25 points compared to playing it immediately in a low-value spot.
QI naturally pairs with the other Q-focused pages: words ending in Q covers SUQ, TRANQ, and UMIAQ, and words starting with Q gives you the full range of Q-without-U options. For other two-letter power plays, words starting with Z includes ZA, the other 11-point two-letter word.
FAQ
Is QI valid in Words With Friends and other word games?
QI is valid in Scrabble (both TWL and SOWPODS), Words With Friends, and virtually every major word game dictionary. It's not usable in Wordle since Wordle only accepts five-letter words. For more Q-tile plays beyond QI, see words starting with Q where you'll find QAT, QADI, and other Q-without-U options.
How should I play QI for maximum points?
Wait for a premium square. QI on a triple-letter square scores 31 points for two tiles. Even better, play QI parallel to an existing word so both letters create valid crosswords simultaneously — this regularly produces 40-60 point plays. Never rush to place QI on an open board for just 11 points when patience could triple that score. The same patience strategy applies to other high-value tiles covered on words ending in Z.
What other two-letter words score as high as QI?
ZA (meaning pizza) ties QI at 11 base points, making them the two highest-scoring two-letter words in Scrabble. After that, the next highest are XI (9 points) and XU (9 points). Memorizing all four gives you strong options for tight board positions. You'll find more about ZA on our words starting with Z page, and XI and XU on words starting with X.