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

No

While the meaning and spelling of "emocionar" are identical in both Brazilian and Continental Portuguese, the answer is "No" because there are significant differences in usage (specifically regarding syntax and pronoun placement) and pronunciation.

In Brazilian Portuguese, it is natural and common to use proclisis, placing the reflexive or object pronoun before the verb (e.g., "Eu me emocionei"). In Continental Portuguese, the standard is enclisis, placing the pronoun after the verb (e.g., "Emocionei-me"). Furthermore, the pronunciation differs: Brazilians tend to use more open vowels and a more melodic, syllable-timed rhythm, whereas Portuguese speakers use more closed, reduced vowels and a more stress-timed rhythm.

Brazilian Portuguese Examples

  1. Eu me emocionei muito com o filme. (I was very moved by the movie.)
  2. A notícia me emocionou bastante. (The news moved me quite a bit.)
  3. Nós nos emocionamos com o discurso. (We were moved by the speech.)
  4. Ele me emocionou com o presente. (He moved me with the gift.)
  5. Você se emocionou com a surpresa? (Did you get emotional with the surprise?)

Continental Portuguese Examples

  1. Emocionei-me muito com o filme. (I was very moved by the movie.)
  2. A notícia emocionou-me bastante. (The news moved me quite a bit.)
  3. Nós emocionámo-nos com o discurso. (We were moved by the speech.)
  4. Ele emocionou-me com o presente. (He moved me with the gift.)
  5. Emociona-se com a surpresa? (Do you get emotional with the surprise?)