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Is the word arrepender the same in Brazilian and European Portuguese?

No

While the meaning and spelling of "arrepender" are identical in both Brazilian and Continental Portuguese, there is a significant difference in grammatical usage (specifically regarding syntax) and pronunciation.

  1. Grammar/Usage: The main difference lies in the placement of the reflexive pronoun (se). In Brazil, it is standard and natural to use proclisis (placing the pronoun before the verb), such as "Eu me arrependo." In Portugal, the standard is enclisis (placing the pronoun after the verb), such as "Arrependo-me."
  2. Pronunciation: In Brazil, vowels are generally more "open" and clearly articulated. In Portugal, unstressed vowels are often reduced or almost silenced (vowel reduction), making the rhythm of the word sound more clipped or "closed" to Brazilian ears.

Brazilian Portuguese Examples

  1. Eu me arrependo de não ter estudado mais. (I regret not having studied more.)
  2. Ele se arrependeu muito do que disse ontem. (He regretted much of what he said yesterday.)
  3. Nós nos arrependemos de ter vendido a casa. (We regret having sold the house.)
  4. Você vai se arrepender dessa escolha. (You are going to regret this choice.)
  5. Eles sempre se arrependem tarde demais. (They always regret it too late.)

Continental Portuguese Examples

  1. Arrependo-me de não ter estudado mais. (I regret not having studied more.)
  2. Arrependeu-se muito do que disse ontem. (He regretted much of what he said yesterday.)
  3. Arrependemo-nos de ter vendido a casa. (We regret having sold the house.)
  4. Tu vais arrepender-te dessa escolha. (You are going to regret this choice.)
  5. Arrepender-se-ão tarde demais. (They will regret it too late.)