A souk (سوق, also sook, souq, or suq) is a commercial quarter in an Arab city. The term is often misused to designate the market.
In Arabian souks, one deals with the shopkeeper in bargaining before the person and the shopkeeper agree on a price.
In French, the word "souk" is often used as a synonym for "mess" or a disorderly place.
See also bazaar.