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

No. While the spelling and grammar are identical, there are differences in typical usage and pronunciation. In Brazilian Portuguese, "bem" is frequently used as an intensifier to mean "very" (e.g., bem grande). In Continental Portuguese, while "bem" can be used, it is much more natural to use "muito" or "bastante" for emphasis, as "bem" often carries the nuance of "quite" or "fairly." Additionally, the pronunciation differs: Brazilian Portuguese features more open, melodic vowels, while European Portuguese is more stress-timed and tends to reduce unstressed vowels.

Brazilian Portuguese

1. Tudo bem com você? (Is everything okay with you?)
2. O dia está bem bonito. (The day is very beautiful.)
3. Ele fala muito bem. (He speaks very well.)
4. O cachorro é bem pequeno. (The dog is very small.)
5. Eu quero o bem de todos. (I want the good of everyone.)

Continental Portuguese

1. Está tudo bem contigo? (Is everything okay with you?)
2. O dia está muito bonito. (The day is very beautiful.)
3. Ele fala muito bem. (He speaks very well.)
4. O cão é bastante pequeno. (The dog is quite small.)
5. Eu quero o bem de todos. (I want the good of everyone.)