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

Yes

The word "contrações" is identical in meaning, spelling, and grammar in both Brazilian and Continental Portuguese. The only difference lies in pronunciation (phonology).

In Brazilian Portuguese, the pronunciation tends to be more "musical" and syllable-timed, with vowels being pronounced more openly and clearly. In Continental Portuguese, the pronunciation is more stress-timed and characterized by significant vowel reduction. This means that unstressed vowels (like the "o" in contrações) are often "swallowed" or pronounced much more closed and weakly, and the "s" at the end of the word takes on a "sh" sound ([ʃ]).

Brazilian Portuguese Examples

  1. As contrações musculares estão muito fortes hoje. (The muscle contractions are very strong today.)
  2. Ela já está sentindo as contrações de parto. (She is already feeling the labor contractions.)
  3. É importante entender as contrações na gramática. (It is important to understand contractions in grammar.)
  4. A economia sofreu contrações no último trimestre. (The economy suffered contractions in the last quarter.)
  5. Sinto algumas contrações no meu abdômen. (I feel some contractions in my abdomen.)

Continental Portuguese Examples

  1. As contrações musculares estão muito fortes hoje. (The muscle contractions are very strong today.)
  2. Ela já sente as contrações do parto. (She already feels the labor contractions.)
  3. É importante perceber as contrações na gramática. (It is important to perceive contractions in grammar.)
  4. A economia sofreu uma retração no último trimestre. (The economy suffered a contraction in the last quarter.)
  5. Sinto algumas contrações na zona abdominal. (I feel some contractions in the abdominal area.)