French word

souk

Pronunciation

IPA/suk/

Meaning

  • masculine nounmarket

Example

Nous irons au souk demain matin.

We will go to the market tomorrow morning.

Illustration for souk (market)

More examples

Au souk, on peut acheter des épices.

At the souk, you can buy spices.

Core concept

A crowded bazaar where buying, negotiating, and social life unfold together.

Common phrases

  • aller au souk

    go to the souk

  • acheter au souk

    buy at the souk

  • le souk traditionnel

    the traditional souk

Similar words

marché: A market, indoors or outdoors, where food and daily necessities are sold.
bazar: A market or shop filled with inexpensive goods of many kinds.

Definition in French

Lieu de commerce traditionnel dans le monde arabe où se mêlent vente, négociation et vie sociale.

Word origin

The French noun souk comes from Arabic sūq, which originally designated a place of trade such as a market street.

Usage tips

  • In informal French, c'est le souk describes a disorderly or chaotic situation, not only a market.

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