el cole
informal
The casual Spanish word for school is el cole, short for colegio. In Spain teenagers say el insti for their high school, short for instituto. It is also called La escuela.
Meaning: school (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | Note |
|---|---|
| el cole | informal |
| El insti | Spain, informal |
| La escuela | standard |
Mañana tengo cole means you have school tomorrow. Voy al insti says you go to high school.
Which one should you use?
El cole is used for younger children and talk with family. El insti belongs to older students. Escuela is the neutral word.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Cole is understood across Spanish speakers, but insti is typical of Spain.
Did you know?
- The clipped forms cole and insti are so common that many children never use the full word.
Examples in context
- Mañana no hay cole.There is no school tomorrow.
- Mi hija va al cole en autobús.My daughter goes to school by bus.
- Los exámenes del insti empiezan el lunes.The exams at high school start on Monday.
Example conversation
Laura speaks with her son Adrián on a Sunday evening.
- LauraAdrián, prepara la mochila para el cole.Adrián, get your backpack ready for school.
- AdriánYa la preparé.I already did.
- LauraPues a dormir, que mañana hay que madrugar.Then go to sleep, since we have to get up early tomorrow.
