Kennzeichen

Kennzeichen is a German noun that refers to an identifying mark, feature, or designation that serves to distinguish something from others. It can denote a distinguishing trait, a sign, or a label used to provide information or prove status. The term is widely used in everyday language and in technical contexts.

In the context of motor vehicles, Kfz-Kennzeichen is the registration plate issued for a vehicle. The plate serves to identify the vehicle in traffic and to indicate its registration authority and region. Formats vary by country and have evolved over time; in Germany, for example, the plate typically begins with one to three letters representing a district, followed by a sequence of letters and numbers. In Austria and Switzerland, similar plates are issued, with country or cantonal codes and regional identifiers. Plates are issued by registration offices, must be displayed on the vehicle, and may be transferred or replaced when ownership changes or when a special status (such as a historic vehicle) applies. Some jurisdictions also support personalized plates within legal limits.

Beyond motor vehicles, Kennzeichen can mean any identifying feature or marker. In science and information technology, the term describes attributes or identifiers used to classify, describe, or tag items, such as a code, attribute, or tag that distinguishes one class from another. In biology, "Kennzeichen" is used to refer to characteristic traits that define a species or taxon, while in data management a Kennzeichen may be a unique identifier assigned to a record.