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

No.

While the spelling, meaning, and core lexical identity of the word "derreter" are identical in both Brazilian and Continental Portuguese, the answer is No because there is a significant difference in typical usage and grammar regarding how the verb is conjugated to express continuous action. In Brazil, the gerund (derretendo) is the standard form for ongoing actions. In Portugal, the construction "a" + infinitive (a derreter) is used instead. Additionally, there is a difference in pronunciation: Portuguese speakers tend to reduce unstressed vowels significantly more than Brazilians, often making the "e" sounds nearly silent.

Brazilian Portuguese Examples

  1. O gelo está derretendo no sol. (The ice is melting in the sun.)
  2. O chocolate derrete na boca. (The chocolate melts in the mouth.)
  3. Esse filme me faz derreter de tanta emoção. (This movie makes me melt with so much emotion.)
  4. O queijo derreteu super bem no sanduíche. (The cheese melted super well in the sandwich.)
  5. Cuidado, o asfalto está derretendo com esse calor. (Careful, the asphalt is melting with this heat.)

Continental Portuguese Examples

  1. O gelo está a derreter com o sol. (The ice is melting with the sun.)
  2. O chocolate derrete na boca. (The chocolate melts in the mouth.)
  3. Este filme faz-me derreter de tanta emoção. (This movie makes me melt with so much emotion.)
  4. O queijo derreteu muito bem na sanduíche. (The cheese melted very well in the sandwich.)
  5. Cuidado, o asfalto está a derreter com este calor. (Careful, the asphalt is melting with this heat.)