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

No

While the core meaning of "cochilando" (the gerund of cochilhar, meaning to nap or doze) is the same in both varieties, there is a significant difference in grammatical usage.

In Brazilian Portuguese, the gerund (cochilando) is the standard way to express an ongoing action. It is the natural choice for describing something happening right now.

In Continental Portuguese, the construction "a + infinitive" (a cochilar) is the standard way to express continuous action. While a Portuguese person understands "cochilando," using the gerund for ongoing actions sounds distinctly Brazilian. Additionally, the verb itself often reverts to the infinitive cochilar in the continuous construction.

Brazilian Portuguese Examples

  1. Eu estou cochilando no sofá. (I am napping on the sofa.)
  2. O bebê passou a tarde cochilando. (The baby spent the afternoon napping.)
  3. Ele foi pego cochilando durante a aula. (He was caught dozing during class.)
  4. Não me acorde, estou só cochilando um pouquinho. (Don't wake me up, I'm just napping a little bit.)
  5. Você estava cochilando enquanto eu falava? (Were you dozing while I was speaking?)

Continental Portuguese Examples

  1. Eu estou a cochilar no sofá. (I am napping on the sofa.)
  2. O bebé passou a tarde a cochilar. (The baby spent the afternoon napping.)
  3. Ele foi apanhado a cochilar durante a aula. (He was caught dozing during class.)
  4. Não me acordes, estou só a cochilar um bocadinho. (Don't wake me up, I'm just napping a little bit.)
  5. Estavas a cochilar enquanto eu falava? (Were you dozing while I was speaking?)