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

No. While the spelling and core meaning of "escova" are identical in both dialects, there are differences in typical usage and pronunciation. In Brazil, the word is commonly used in the singular form when referring to toothbrushes (escova de dente), whereas in Portugal, the plural is the standard (escova de dentes). Additionally, the pronunciation differs significantly due to vowel reduction in Continental Portuguese, where unstressed vowels are much more closed or nearly silent compared to the more open, musical vowels of Brazilian Portuguese.

Brazilian Portuguese

1. Eu comprei uma escova de dente. (I bought a toothbrush.)
2. Onde está a sua escova de cabelo? (Where is your hairbrush?)
3. Use a escova de lavar roupa. (Use the laundry brush.)
4. Ela faz escova no cabelo todo dia. (She gets a blowout every day.)
5. Eu usei a escova para pintar o quadro. (I used the brush to paint the painting.)

Continental Portuguese

1. Eu comprei uma escova de dentes. (I bought a toothbrush.)
2. Onde está a tua escova de cabelo? (Where is your hairbrush?)
3. Usa a escova de lavar a roupa. (Use the laundry brush.)
4. Ela faz escova no cabelo todos os dias. (She gets a blowout every day.)
5. Eu usei o pincel para pintar o quadro. (I used the paintbrush to paint the painting.)