Learn Hardcore Spanish (Latin America): Esta mochila es práctica para llevar libros a la escuela. - This backpack is practical for carrying books to school.

Because esta here is a demonstrative adjective meaning “this.” Demonstrative adjectives (this/that) never take an accent. The form está (with an accent) is the third-person singular of estar (“to be”). Since we’re saying this backpack (not “this backpack is”), we use esta without an accent.

Why do we use es instead of está when describing the backpack as practical?

We use ser (es) for inherent or permanent characteristics—qualities that define what something is (size, shape, material, personality). Práctica (practical) is considered a lasting trait of the backpack. If you used estar (está), it would suggest a temporary condition (e.g., “the backpack is being practical right now,” which doesn’t make sense).

Why is práctica feminine? Shouldn’t the adjective default to masculine?

Adjectives in Spanish must agree with the noun’s gender and number. Mochila is feminine singular, so the adjective must also be feminine singular: práctica. If the noun were masculine (e.g., bolso), you’d say práctico.

Why does the adjective práctica come after mochila instead of before it?

The default word order in Spanish is noun + adjective. So you normally say mochila práctica. Some adjectives can go before the noun for emphasis or a stylistic effect, but the unmarked, everyday order places the adjective after the noun.

What does para llevar mean here? Why use para + infinitive?

Para + infinitive expresses purpose or intended use. Para llevar literally means “for carrying” or “to carry.” The sentence tells us the backpack’s function: it’s practical in order to carry books.

Why are there no articles before libros? Wouldn’t los libros be correct?

When you speak about items in a general or indefinite sense, Spanish often omits the article. Here libros refers to books in general (not specific books you’ve already mentioned), so you don’t need los or unos. If you wanted to emphasize particular books, you could say para llevar los libros.

What’s the role of the a in a la escuela? Why not just la escuela?

The preposition a indicates direction or destination: “to.” You pair it with the definite article la because la escuela is a specific place (the school). So a la escuela means “to school.”

Why use llevar instead of traer?

Both verbs mean “to carry,” but from different perspectives. Llevar means to take something away from the current location toward another place (e.g., from home to school). Traer means to bring something toward the speaker’s location. Since the action is taking books to school (away from home), llevar is the appropriate choice.