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

Yes

The word "explorar" has the same meaning, spelling, and grammatical conjugation in both Brazilian and Continental Portuguese. It can be used to mean "to explore" (a place, a topic, or a possibility) or "to exploit" (a resource or a person).

The only difference is pronunciation:

• Brazilian Portuguese: The vowels tend to be more open and the rhythm is more "syllable-timed," making the word sound more melodic. The "r" at the end of the word is often pronounced as a retroflex "r" (similar to the American English "r") in many parts of Brazil.
• Continental Portuguese: The vowels are more closed, and the rhythm is "stress-timed," meaning unstressed vowels are often reduced or almost silent. The "r" is typically an alveolar tap or a more subtle sound.

Brazilian Portuguese Examples

1. Adoro explorar novas lanchonetes na cidade. (I love exploring new snack bars in the city.)
2. Vamos explorar o museu hoje à tarde. (Let's explore the museum this afternoon.)
3. A empresa está tentando explorar novos mercados. (The company is trying to explore new markets.)
4. Ele gosta de explorar trilhas na floresta. (He likes exploring trails in the forest.)
5. Precisamos explorar todas as opções antes de decidir. (We need to explore all options before deciding.)

Continental Portuguese Examples

1. Gosto de explorar novos cafés na cidade. (I like exploring new cafes in the city.)
2. Vamos explorar o museu hoje à tarde. (Let's explore the museum this afternoon.)
3. A empresa pretende explorar novos mercados. (The company intends to explore new markets.)
4. Ele gosta de explorar trilhos na floresta. (He likes exploring trails in the forest.)
5. Temos de explorar todas as opções antes de decidir. (We have to explore all options before deciding.)