Learn Hardcore Spanish (Spain): El profesor quiere ayudar al estudiante nuevo. - The teacher wants to help the new student.

In Spanish, querer ("to want") is usually followed by an infinitive verb when expressing a desire to perform an action. Here, ayudar ("to help") is the infinitive. If we said "quiere ayuda," it would mean "the teacher wants (some) help" rather than "wants to help."

Why do we say "al estudiante" instead of "a el estudiante"?

In Spanish, whenever "a" is followed by the masculine article "el," they contract to form "al." So "a el estudiante" becomes "al estudiante." This rule applies whenever "a" and "el" would appear next to each other.

Why does the adjective "nuevo" come after "estudiante"?

Unlike English, Spanish adjectives can often follow the noun they modify. Saying "el estudiante nuevo" is the standard word order for describing a noun with an adjective in a straightforward way (literally "the new student"). You will also see some adjectives placed in front of the noun (for example, "el nuevo estudiante"), but the meaning or the emphasis can shift slightly.

Why is "nuevo" in the masculine form here?

The word "estudiante" can be masculine or feminine, but in this sentence, "nuevo" is referring to a male student. Since "estudiante" is treated as masculine here (it often depends on context), the adjective needs to agree in gender, so we use "nuevo" and not "nueva."

Could we say "El profesor quiere ayudarle" instead of "El profesor quiere ayudar al estudiante nuevo"?

Yes, in Spanish you could use an indirect object pronoun "le" to mean "him" (or "her") and say "El profesor quiere ayudarle." However, "al estudiante nuevo" is more specific and clarifies exactly whom the professor wants to help. Using "le" is just more general, without specifying "the new student" explicitly.