Studenten virker intelligent.

Because studenten is the definite singular form of student, so it means the student.

In Norwegian, the definite article is usually added to the end of the noun:

• en student = a student
• studenten = the student

So Studenten virker intelligent literally starts with The student...

Not here. Studenten by itself already means the student.

You normally add den only when there is an adjective before the noun:

• studenten = the student
• den intelligente studenten = the intelligent student

So den studenten is possible in some contexts, but it is not the normal basic way to say the student in a simple sentence like this.

Usually, student in Norwegian most often means a college/university student. For a school pupil, Norwegian often uses elev instead.

So depending on context:

• student = often university student
• elev = school pupil

That said, learners will still often see student translated simply as student.

Here, virker means seems or appears.

It is the present tense of å virke.

So:

• Studenten virker intelligent = The student seems intelligent

Be aware that virke can also mean work/function in other contexts:

• Maskinen virker. = The machine works.

In your sentence, because it is followed by an adjective, the meaning is clearly seems/appears.

Because virker is already the main verb of the sentence.

Norwegian often uses verbs like er (is), blir (becomes), ser ut (looks), and virker (seems) as linking verbs. They connect the subject to a description.

So:

• Studenten er intelligent. = The student is intelligent.
• Studenten virker intelligent. = The student seems intelligent.

You do not say:

• Studenten virker er intelligent ❌

Because here it is a predicate adjective, not an adjective directly attached to the noun.

Compare:

• en intelligent student = an intelligent student
  
  • adjective before the noun
• Studenten virker intelligent = The student seems intelligent
  
  • adjective after a linking verb

So the sentence pattern is:

subject + verb + adjective

Because this adjective is being used predicatively after the verb virker.

In Norwegian, predicate adjectives do not automatically take the definite -e form just because the noun is definite.

So:

• den intelligente studenten = adjective directly before a definite noun
• Studenten virker intelligent = adjective after a verb

With this structure, intelligent is the correct form.

Also, intelligente would be used in forms like:

• intelligente studenter = intelligent students
• den intelligente studenten = the intelligent student

Virker is present tense.

The infinitive is å virke.

Some useful forms:

• å virke = to seem / to work
• virker = seems / works
• virket = seemed / worked

So the past version would be:

• Studenten virket intelligent. = The student seemed intelligent.

Not quite.

• Studenten er intelligent = a stronger statement; you are saying the student is intelligent.
• Studenten virker intelligent = a softer statement; you are saying the student seems intelligent.

So virker leaves room for uncertainty, first impressions, or limited evidence.

Yes. That is another natural sentence, but the nuance is a little different.

• Studenten virker intelligent = The student seems intelligent
• Studenten ser intelligent ut = The student looks intelligent

Ser ... ut is more directly about how someone appears, especially outwardly.
Virker can be broader and may be based on behavior, speech, attitude, or general impression.

You move the finite verb to the front:

• Virker studenten intelligent? = Does the student seem intelligent?

This is normal Norwegian word order for yes/no questions.

Compare:

• Studenten virker intelligent. = statement
• Virker studenten intelligent? = question

No, not in normal usage.

Here, intelligent is an adjective describing the student, and virker means seems.

If you wanted to say something like The student works intelligently, Norwegian would usually use a different structure, for example something closer to:

• Studenten arbeider på en intelligent måte.

So in your sentence, the meaning is definitely about the student’s apparent intelligence, not about how the student performs an action.