Learn Hardcore Portuguese (Portugal): A embaixada pede um formulário online e uma cópia do seguro de viagem. - The embassy asks for an online form and a copy of the travel insurance.

In European Portuguese, you normally use a definite article (o, a, os, as) before most singular countable nouns when you’re talking about a specific, identifiable thing.

A embaixada = the embassy (a specific one, which both speaker and listener know about).
Embaixada without the article would sound incomplete or like a title/label (e.g. on a sign: Embaixada da Noruega).

Also, embaixada is a feminine noun, so it takes a (feminine singular definite article), not o.

So A embaixada pede… is the normal, natural way to say The embassy asks for… in Portuguese.

What exactly is pede? Which verb is it, and why is this form used?

Pede is the 3rd person singular of the verb pedir in the present tense.

Infinitive: pedir (to ask for / to request)
Present indicative:
- eu peço
- tu pedes
- ele / ela / você / a embaixada pede
- nós pedimos
- vocês / eles / elas pedem

Because a embaixada is grammatically 3rd person singular, you use pede.

Meaning nuance:

pedir = to ask for / to request (polite, formal or neutral):
- A embaixada pede um formulário online… = The embassy requests an online form…
Alternatives:
- A embaixada exige… = the embassy requires / demands (stronger, more mandatory)
- A embaixada precisa de… = the embassy needs (focus on necessity, not formal request)

Here, pede matches the idea of “the embassy asks for / requests” rather than just “needs”.

Why is it um formulário but uma cópia?

Because formulário and cópia have different grammatical genders:

o formulário (masculine noun) → um formulário (a form)
a cópia (feminine noun) → uma cópia (a copy)

Indefinite articles agree with the noun:

masculine singular: um
feminine singular: uma

So:

um formulário online = an online form
uma cópia do seguro de viagem = a copy of the travel insurance

The choice of um/uma is purely grammatical agreement with the noun’s gender.

Why is online invariable? Should it change for gender or number?

Online is an English loanword used in Portuguese, and it is invariable: it does not change for gender or number.

So you say:

um formulário online (masc. sing.)
uma inscrição online (fem. sing.)
dois formulários online (masc. pl.)
várias inscrições online (fem. pl.)

In European Portuguese, you might occasionally see alternatives like em linha, but online is very common and fully acceptable, especially in practical contexts like this.

Can I change the word order? For example, say um formulário online pede a embaixada or move online somewhere else?

You can’t freely change the word order without making it wrong or unnatural.

Subject–verb–object is the normal order:
- A embaixada (subject) pede (verb) um formulário online e uma cópia do seguro de viagem (objects).
Putting the object first like in English questions:
- Um formulário online pede a embaixada
  This sounds wrong. It now sounds like the form is doing the asking.
Placement of online:
- Natural: um formulário online
- Alternatives like um formulário em linha (more calque-style) are possible,
  but you wouldn’t normally say um online formulário.

So the given order (A embaixada pede um formulário online e uma cópia do seguro de viagem) is the standard and natural one.

What is do in uma cópia do seguro de viagem? Is it a separate word?

Do here is a contraction of the preposition de + the masculine singular article o:

de + o = do

So:

uma cópia do seguro de viagem
literally: a copy *of the travel insurance*

You use de because you’re expressing “a copy of something.” Since that “something” is o seguro de viagem (the travel insurance), de + o contracts to do:

de o seguro de viagem → do seguro de viagem

This contraction is mandatory in normal speech and writing.

Why is it do seguro de viagem and not de um seguro de viagem?

Both are grammatically correct, but the nuance is different:

uma cópia do seguro de viagem
- literally: a copy of the travel insurance
- Implies a specific, known insurance policy – usually your travel insurance for this trip.
- This fits bureaucratic contexts: you already have a policy; they want a copy of that one.
uma cópia de um seguro de viagem
- literally: a copy of a travel insurance policy
- Feels more vague or hypothetical: any travel insurance, not necessarily a specific one already in mind.

In real embassy/administrative instructions, do seguro de viagem (with the definite article) is much more natural and typical.

Why is it seguro de viagem and not seguro de viagens or seguro para viagem?

All three forms can appear in real life, but they’re not identical:

seguro de viagem (most common in this kind of phrase)
- Literally “insurance of travel”.
- Functions as a fixed noun–noun expression, like “travel insurance” in English.
- Very standard in bureaucratic/official contexts.
seguro de viagens
- Literally “insurance of trips/journeys”.
- Also used, but can sound a bit more generic: insurance covering multiple trips or travel in general.
- Some companies use seguro de viagem, others seguro de viagens; both exist.
seguro para viagem
- Literally “insurance for travel”.
- Emphasizes purpose (“for travelling”), can sound a bit more descriptive than the fixed product name.
- Less common in the fixed term, more like an explanatory phrase.

In your sentence, seguro de viagem is the most idiomatic and “product‑name‑like” way to say travel insurance.

Could I just say uma cópia do seguro and drop de viagem?

You can say uma cópia do seguro if the context already makes it obvious you are talking about travel insurance.

For example:

If the instructions previously said: Deve ter um seguro de viagem (“You must have travel insurance”),
then a later sentence might say: Entregue uma cópia do seguro (“Submit a copy of the insurance”).

But in a standalone instruction, or in forms meant to be crystal clear, do seguro de viagem is safer and more explicit. That’s why it’s fully spelled out in your sentence.

Is there a more formal or stronger way to say pede here, like “requires”?

Yes. Two common alternatives:

A embaixada exige um formulário online e uma cópia do seguro de viagem.
- exige = “demands / requires”
- Stronger and more categorical; often used in rules and regulations.
A embaixada requer um formulário online e uma cópia do seguro de viagem.
- requer = “requires”
- Formal, legal/administrative tone. Very common in written requirements.

The original:

A embaixada pede…
sounds a bit softer, like “asks for / requests”, although in context it still functions as a requirement.