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

No. While the meaning, spelling, and conjugation of the word "responder" are identical in both dialects, there is a difference in its typical usage regarding the present continuous tense. Brazilians predominantly use the gerund form (respondendo), whereas Portuguese people typically use the preposition "a" followed by the infinitive (a responder). There are also significant differences in pronunciation, specifically in the way vowels are reduced and how the "r" is articulated.

Brazilian Portuguese Usage

1. Estou respondendo ao seu e-mail agora. (I am answering your email now.)
2. Ele esqueceu de responder à mensagem. (He forgot to answer the message.)
3. Ela está respondendo muito rápido. (She is answering very fast.)
4. Você sabe responder a essa pergunta? (Do you know how to answer that question?)
5. Ele está respondendo por todos os erros. (He is answering for all the mistakes.)

Continental Portuguese Usage

1. Estou a responder ao seu e-mail agora. (I am answering your email now.)
2. Ele esqueceu-se de responder à mensagem. (He forgot to answer the message.)
3. Ela está a responder muito rápido. (She is answering very fast.)
4. Sabes responder a esta pergunta? (Do you know how to answer this question?)
5. Ele está a responder por todos os erros. (He is answering for all the mistakes.)