plakette

Plakette is a German noun referring to a small, flat plate or badge bearing an inscription, emblem, or design. It serves various functions, including commemoration, identification, and decoration, and may be made of metal, enamel, or plastic. The term is used for both functional tags on equipment and decorative or ceremonial plaques.

Etymology: the word combines Platte (plate) with the diminutive suffix -ette, borrowed from French, yielding “little plate.”

Common uses include commemorative plaques on buildings, milestones, graves, or monuments; nameplates on instruments, machines, or doors; awards and recognition plaques; and product or vehicle badges.

Umweltplakette: a widely known specialized use in Germany, the environmental badge displayed on vehicles to indicate eligibility to enter low-emission zones. The scheme uses color codes indicating compliance with emission standards and is enforced in many urban areas.

Manufacture and design vary by purpose; typical materials include metal (brass, aluminum), enamel, or durable plastic; inscriptions are often engraved, embossed, or printed; sizes range from a few centimeters to larger plaques.

In English, the closest equivalents are plaque or badge, and the German term is cognate with those words.