köznévi

Köznévi is a Hungarian term that translates to "common name" or "generic name." It refers to the widely recognized and used name for a plant, animal, or other organism, as opposed to its scientific or taxonomic name. For instance, the common name for *Canis lupus familiaris* is "dog" in English, and "kutya" in Hungarian.

Common names are often derived from observable characteristics, habitat, or historical associations. They are typically more accessible to the general public than scientific names, which are usually Latin or Greek based and follow binomial nomenclature rules. While common names can be useful for everyday communication, they can also lead to confusion. A single organism might have multiple common names in different regions or languages, and conversely, a single common name might refer to several different species. For example, "robin" can refer to the American robin or the European robin, which are distinct species.

In contrast, scientific names are intended to be universal and unambiguous, providing a unique identifier for each species. However, the importance of common names lies in their widespread use and their role in connecting people to the natural world. Many botanical and zoological resources will list both the scientific name and common names for organisms to facilitate understanding and identification for a broader audience. The development and evolution of common names are ongoing processes, reflecting changes in language and our understanding of the natural world.