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marco

MAHR-kohˈmaɾko

frame

Also: casing, mount
NounmA1
A thick, ornate wooden picture frame resting against a solid colored background.

📝 In Action

Necesito un marco de madera para esta pintura.

A1

I need a wooden frame for this painting.

El marco de la ventana está roto.

A2

The window frame is broken.

Ponte el marco de las gafas antes de leer.

B1

Put on the frames of your glasses before reading.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • marco de fotos – picture frame
  • marco dorado – gilded/golden frame

framework, context

Also: scope
NounmB1
The skeletal wooden beams forming the basic structure of a small house under construction, emphasizing the foundational supports.

📝 In Action

La reunión se llevó a cabo en el marco de la colaboración internacional.

B1

The meeting took place within the framework of international collaboration.

Necesitamos un nuevo marco legal para regular estas actividades.

B2

We need a new legal framework to regulate these activities.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • marco de referencia – frame of reference
  • marco teórico – theoretical framework
  • marco legal – legal framework

I mark, I dial

Also: I score, I set
VerbA2regular ar
A child's hand holding a red crayon making a distinct checkmark on a blank white surface.
infinitivemarcar
gerundmarcando
past Participlemarcado

📝 In Action

Yo marco el teléfono antes de que suene la alarma.

A2

I dial the phone before the alarm rings.

Cuando juego, siempre marco muchos puntos.

A2

When I play, I always score a lot of points.

Yo marco los errores en tu ensayo con un bolígrafo rojo.

B1

I mark the mistakes in your essay with a red pen.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • marco un gol – I score a goal
  • marco la pauta – I set the standard/pace

Indicative

Present

yomarco
túmarcas
él/ella/ustedmarca
nosotrosmarcamos
vosotrosmarcáis
ellos/ellas/ustedesmarcan

Imperfect

yomarcaba
túmarcabas
él/ella/ustedmarcaba
nosotrosmarcábamos
vosotrosmarcabais
ellos/ellas/ustedesmarcaban

Preterite

yomarqué
túmarcaste
él/ella/ustedmarcó
nosotrosmarcamos
vosotrosmarcasteis
ellos/ellas/ustedesmarcaron

Subjunctive

Present Subjunctive

yomarque
túmarques
él/ella/ustedmarque
nosotrosmarquemos
vosotrosmarquéis
ellos/ellas/ustedesmarquen

Imperfect Subjunctive

yomarcára
túmarcáras
él/ella/ustedmarcára
nosotrosmarcáramos
vosotrosmarcárais
ellos/ellas/ustedesmarcáran
View All Tenses & Moods →

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✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: marco

Question 1 of 2

Which of these sentences uses 'marco' as the physical border around an object?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
barcoparco
📚 Etymology▼

The noun 'marco' comes from the Old High German word *marka* (meaning 'boundary' or 'border'), which passed through Vulgar Latin. The verb 'marco' (from 'marcar') shares this same root meaning of setting a limit or making a sign.

First recorded: Medieval Latin period (c. 10th-12th century)

Cognates (Related words)

Italian: marcoFrench: marque

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'marco' related to the German currency 'Mark'?

Yes, historically, 'marco' was also used to refer to a weight unit for precious metals, similar to how the German 'Mark' was established. Both words share the same Germanic root referring to a measure or boundary.

How can I tell if 'marco' is a noun or a verb in a sentence?

If it is preceded by 'el' or 'un' (the/a), it is the noun (the frame/framework). If it is used without a preceding article and the subject is 'yo' (I), it is the verb (I mark/I dial).