mold / white horse
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mold
A fungus that grows as an often white, green, or black coating on damp organic materials such as food or walls.
Wegen der Feuchtigkeit bildete sich Schimmel an der Wand im Badezimmer.
Because of the dampness, mold formed on the wall in the bathroom.
The meaning is only clear from context. If people are talking about food, walls, or dampness, the fungus is meant. If people are talking about riding, fairy tales, or a farm, the white horse is meant.
Der Joghurt ist schlecht, er hat Schimmel an der Oberfläche.
The yogurt has gone bad; it has mold on the surface.
The meaning 'Pilz' (fungus) also includes the verb 'schimmeln' (to go moldy) and the adjective 'schimmelig' (moldy). If something 'schimmelt' (goes moldy), it is 'schimmelig' (moldy) and has 'Schimmel' (mold).
Lass das Brot nicht zu lange liegen, sonst schimmelt es.
Don't leave the bread lying around too long, or it will go moldy.
Schimmel (the fungus) is often found in certain places. Typical phrases are 'Schimmel an der Wand' (mold on the wall), 'Schimmel im Bad' (mold in the bathroom), or 'Schimmel auf dem Brot' (mold on the bread).
Wir müssen den Schimmel im Keller schnell entfernen.
We have to remove the mold in the basement quickly.
In the meaning 'weißes Pferd' (white horse), the most common combination is 'auf einem Schimmel reiten' (to ride a white horse). The word is often used in fairy tales and stories, e.g. 'der Prinz auf dem Schimmel' (the prince on the white horse).
Im Märchen kommt der Held auf einem weißen Schimmel angeritten.
In the fairy tale, the hero comes riding up on a white horse.
fox
'der Fuchs' and 'der Schimmel' can both refer to a horse based on its coat color. A Fuchs is a horse with a reddish-brown coat. A Schimmel is a white horse. The words can be confused because both are known as animal names and are also used for horses in equestrian contexts. The context is important: when it is about horses, both describe the color. Outside this context, 'Fuchs' usually means the wild animal, and 'Schimmel' often means mold on food or walls.
Der Schimmel läuft langsam über die Wiese und trägt ein weißes Halfter.
The white horse walks slowly across the meadow and is wearing a white halter.
Auf dem Reiterhof steht ein ruhiger Fuchs mit rötlichem Fell.
At the riding stable there is a calm chestnut horse with a reddish coat.