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

No.

While the spelling and fundamental meaning of the word "beijar" are identical in both dialects, there are significant differences in grammar and typical usage.

Grammar: The primary difference lies in the placement of object pronouns (clitics). In Brazilian Portuguese, it is natural and common to place the pronoun before the verb (te beijar), whereas in Continental Portuguese, the pronoun follows the verb (beijar-te). Additionally, the imperative (command) forms differ based on the use of "você" in Brazil versus "tu" in Portugal; a Brazilian would say "beije" (3rd person), while a Portuguese person would say "beijes" (2nd person).

Usage: In Brazil, the phrase "dar um beijo" is frequently used to describe social greetings (like kissing cheeks). In Portugal, while "beijar" is used, the diminutive "beijinho" is much more common and culturally natural for these same social interactions.

Pronunciation: There is also a phonetic difference. Brazilian Portuguese features more open vowels and a syllable-timed rhythm, whereas Continental Portuguese features more closed/reduced vowels and a stress-timed rhythm.

Brazilian Portuguese Examples

  1. Eu quero te beijar. (I want to kiss you.)
  2. Eles se beijaram muito na festa. (They kissed a lot at the party.)
  3. Não me beije agora. (Don't kiss me now.)
  4. Ela vai te dar um beijo antes de sair. (She is going to give you a kiss before leaving.)
  5. Eu adoro beijar o seu rosto. (I love kissing your face.)

Continental Portuguese Examples

  1. Eu quero beijar-te. (I want to kiss you.)
  2. Eles beijaram-se muito na festa. (They kissed a lot at the party.)
  3. Não me beijes agora. (Don't kiss me now.)
  4. Ela vai dar-te um beijinho antes de sair. (She is going to give you a little kiss before leaving.)
  5. Eu adoro beijar a tua face. (I love kissing your face.)