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

No

While the spelling, grammar, and core meaning of "usou" (the third-person singular past tense of usar) are identical in both dialects, the answer is "No" due to differences in typical usage. In Brazilian Portuguese, "usar" is a very common, catch-all verb used frequently to mean "to wear" clothing or accessories (e.g., "Ele usou um chapéu"). In Continental Portuguese, while "usar" is used for objects or tools, the verb "vestir" is much more natural and common when referring to the act of wearing clothing. Additionally, there are subtle differences in pronunciation regarding vowel tension and the rhythmic cadence of the sentence.

Brazilian Portuguese Examples

1. Ele usou o meu carro ontem. (He used my car yesterday.)
2. Ela usou um vestido novo na festa. (She wore a new dress at the party.)
3. O menino usou o tablet por duas horas. (The boy used the tablet for two hours.)
4. Ele usou todo o dinheiro do cartão. (He used all the money on the card.)
5. Ela usou uma técnica diferente para o trabalho. (She used a different technique for the work.)

Continental Portuguese Examples

1. Ele utilizou o meu carro ontem. (He used my car yesterday.)
2. Ela vestiu um vestido novo na festa. (She wore a new dress at the party.)
3. O rapaz usou o tablet durante duas horas. (The boy used the tablet for two hours.)
4. Ele gastou o cartão todo. (He used/spent the whole card.)
5. Ela aplicou uma técnica diferente para o trabalho. (She applied a different technique for the work.)