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

No.

While the spelling and core definition of "campainha" are the same in both dialects, there are significant differences in typical usage, grammar, and nuance.

  1. Meaning/Nuance: In Brazil, "campainha" is often used broadly to refer to the entire intercom or buzzer system. In Portugal, a clearer distinction is usually made between the campainha (the bell/sound itself) and the interfone (the intercom device with a speaker).
  2. Typical Usage (Collocation): The verbs paired with the word differ. Brazilians typically use the verb apertar (to press) with the preposition a (apertar a campainha). Portuguese people more commonly use the verb carregar with the preposition em (carregar na campainha).
  3. Grammar: The construction of the continuous present differs. Brazilians use the gerund (está tocando), while the Portuguese use the preposition a followed by the infinitive (está a tocar).
  4. Pronunciation: In Continental Portuguese, the unstressed vowels (like the 'a' in campainha) are much more reduced and closed (sounding almost like a neutral "uh"), whereas in Brazilian Portuguese, the vowels are more open and clear.

Brazilian Portuguese

  1. Alguém está tocando a campainha. (Someone is ringing the doorbell.)
  2. Você pode apertar a campainha para mim? (Can you press the doorbell for me?)
  3. A campainha parou de funcionar. (The doorbell stopped working.)
  4. Eu ouvi a campainha tocar. (I heard the doorbell ring.)
  5. A campainha tocou muito alto. (The doorbell rang very loudly.)

Continental Portuguese

  1. Alguém está a tocar a campainha. (Someone is ringing the doorbell.)
  2. Podes carregar na campainha por mim? (Can you press the doorbell for me?)
  3. A campainha deixou de funcionar. (The doorbell stopped working.)
  4. Eu ouvi a campainha tocar. (I heard the doorbell ring.)
  5. A campainha tocou muito alto. (The doorbell rang very loudly.)