fox
Loading your saved state.
fox
A predator from the dog family with reddish fur and a bushy tail, often portrayed in fairy tales and fables as clever and cunning.
Im Dämmerlicht sahen wir einen Fuchs über das Feld schleichen.
In the twilight, we saw a fox sneaking across the field.
The expression 'schlau wie ein Fuchs' (clever as a fox) is very common. It connects the animal's characteristic with the figurative meaning for a clever person.
Sei vorsichtig bei den Verhandlungen, er ist schlau wie ein Fuchs.
Be careful during the negotiations; he is clever as a fox.
To describe an experienced and cunning person, the combination 'ein alter Fuchs' (an old fox) is often used. This emphasizes the person's many years of experience.
Unser Chef ist ein alter Fuchs, er kennt alle Tricks der Branche.
Our boss is an old fox; he knows all the tricks of the industry.
If 'reiten' (to ride), 'Pferd' (horse), or 'Stall' (stable) is mentioned in conversation or a text, 'Fuchs' refers to a horse with reddish-brown fur.
Auf der Weide stehen ein Schimmel und ein Fuchs.
There is a gray horse and a chestnut horse standing in the pasture.
The meaning 'neues Mitglied' (new member) is very specific and is used almost only in the context of student fraternities at universities.
Im ersten Semester ist er noch Fuchs bei seiner Verbindung.
In his first semester, he is still a new member in his fraternity.
professional / pro
'Profi' and 'Fuchs' can both describe a person who knows their way around something. 'Profi' emphasizes skill, experience, or professional competence. 'Fuchs' is colloquial and mainly means a very clever or shrewd person. The words can be confused because both can sound positive. But 'Profi' fits better when the focus is on specialist ability. 'Fuchs' fits better when someone thinks skillfully, knows tricks, or finds a clever solution.
Anton ist ein echter Fuchs, weil er den Fehler sofort gefunden hat.
Anton is a real old fox because he found the mistake right away.
Bei der Reparatur der Heizung rufen wir lieber einen Profi.
For the heating repair, we'd rather call a pro.