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.
white horse
A horse whose coat is completely white.
Der Prinz aus dem Märchen ritt auf einem prächtigen Schimmel.
The prince from the fairy tale rode on a magnificent white horse.
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.
mushroom / fungus
„Pilz“ is the more general biological term, whereas „Schimmel“ refers to the typical visible coating on damp materials. Both words are possible for such an infestation, but they emphasize different aspects. For the visible coating on bread or a wall, „Schimmel“ is usually more precise in everyday language.
Auf der feuchten Wand ist schwarzer Schimmel zu sehen, deshalb muss sie gereinigt werden.
Black mold is visible on the damp wall, so it needs to be cleaned.
Auf der feuchten Wand wächst ein Pilz, dessen genaue Art noch untersucht wird.
A fungus is growing on the damp wall, and its exact species is still being investigated.
