New and unfamiliar terminologies are always a challenge, and it should be carefully considered in which context to use specific expressions. “Citizen science” is already a term that needs explaining. Furthermore, there are language issues, such as the German term “Bürgerwissenschaften” which feels more confusing so the English term ‘Citizen science’ is frequently used. In some areas, there are similar approaches that describe the involvement of citizens in research (such as the “Patient and Public Involvement approach”). Those that are already familiar with a similar approach, citizens as well as participating or regulating institutions, might ask for more explanations about the respective similarities and differences between the approaches and related terminologies.