Which to use
“Schmelz” and “Schmutz” are a confusable German pair: similar on the page, but distinct in meaning, check the gloss before you choose.
- #36,613
- “Schmelz” frequency rank
- #12,165
- “Schmutz” frequency rank
- 48778
- confusion score
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Schmelz | Schmutz |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Glasur auf der Oberfläche | Unsauberkeit, feuchter Dreck, Staub |
Where the spellings diverge
Shared letters are muted; the letters that actually set Schmelz and Schmutz apart are highlighted. They share 5 letters in sequence, which is exactly why the eye skips the difference.
Spelling & Dictionary Insight
A purely visual mix-up. Schmelz ([ʃmɛlt͡s]) and Schmutz ([ʃmʊt͡s]) are said differently, so reading them aloud is the quickest way to catch the wrong one. On the page they stay close: they share most of their letters but differ in 2 positions. Our composite confusion score for this pair is 48778, derived from the frequency rank of both members and their visual similarity.
Schmelz is recorded at frequency rank #36,613, classified as anoun, pronounced [ʃmɛlt͡s]. Schmutz is at rank #12,165, tagged as anoun, pronounced [ʃmʊt͡s].
Glosses for this pair are partially populated in our dataset, but the full side-by-side definitions above should still guide you to the right choice.
With a confusion score of 48778, this pair ranks #1,235,996 of 2,006,359 scored German confusable pairs - roughly mid-pack for confusability.
Orthographic DNA of Schmelz vs Schmutz
Shared letters: chmsz. Private to "Schmelz": el. Private to "Schmutz": tu.
"Schmelz" · 7 letters · shape CCCCVCC · "Schmutz" · 7 letters · shape CCCCVCC
Known mistypes of this pair
Frequency comparison
Frequently Asked Questions
Can "Schmelz" and "Schmutz" be used interchangeably?
Which is more common, "Schmelz" or "Schmutz"?
Remembering Schmelz vs Schmutz
The fastest way to pick the right one every time.
- Read both glosses above and match the meaning you intend, only context separates this pair.
- See each word in full, definition, IPA, etymology and its other confusables. Full “Schmelz” entry
- Browse more pairs most likely to be confused. Most confusable