Spanish Phrase
Marca el final del cole.
Meaning
The phrase tells someone to mark (e.g., on a calendar or a list) the date that signals the end of the school year. It is a straightforward command that focuses on the action of noting the final day of classes.
When to use
Use it when you are planning a schedule, reminding classmates, or helping a family member keep track of the school calendar. It is typical in informal contexts such as conversations between students, parents, or teachers.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Marcaelfinaldelcole
Imperative (tú) of marcar
Marca is the affirmative tú‑imperative of the verb marcar, used to give a direct command.
Definite article el
El is the masculine singular definite article that agrees with the noun final.
Contraction del = de + el
Del is the contracted form of the preposition de + the article el; it means “of the”.
Cole (colloquial)
Cole is an informal shortening of colegio (school); it is common in spoken Spanish among young people.
🗨In Conversation
¿Cuándo termina el año escolar?
When does the school year end?
Marca el final del cole en el calendario.
Mark the end of school on the calendar.
✕Common Mistakes
Marcas el final del cole.
The command should be in the tú‑imperative (Marca), not the present indicative (Marcas).
Marca el final de el cole.
In Spanish the preposition and article contract to del; writing them separately is incorrect.
Marca el final del cole (in a formal email to a principal).
Cole is informal; in formal contexts use colegio.
↔Alternatives
Señala el fin del curso.
Point out the end of the term.
Apunta la fecha del fin de clases.
Write down the date the classes finish.
Marca la fecha del cierre del colegio.
Mark the date the school closes.
Cultural Tip
In many Spanish‑speaking countries, "cole" is a friendly, informal way to refer to the school, especially among teenagers. In formal writing or when speaking to authority figures, use "colegio" instead. The end of the school year is often celebrated with a "fiesta de fin de curso" (end‑of‑year party), so marking the date can be a practical step for planning that celebration.