2009年是达尔文诞辰200周年。其相关纪念活动激发了笔者对进化论的兴趣,并促使笔者对“evolution”一词的翻译进行新的思考。本文对曾经的译词进行了回顾,对“evolution”一词进行了词源学考证,对达尔文进化论的内涵进行了研究,从而揭示“evolution”涵盖有“进化”、“退化”和“灭绝”的意思。以往的译词“天演”具有局限性,“进化”则是对“evolution”的误读。经过思考,笔者提出新的译词,以期与同行、专家、学者们进行商讨。 2009 is the 200th anniversary of Darwin’s birth. The related commemorative activities aroused the author’s interest in evolution and prompted the author to make new thinking about the translation of the word “evolution”. This essay reviews the former translated words and makes a etymological study of the word “evolution” to study the connotation of Darwin’s theory of evolution, so as to reveal that “evolution” covers “evolution”, “evolution” “Degenerate” and “extinct” mean. In the past, the translated word “天演” has its limitations. “Evolution” is a misunderstanding of “evolution”. After thinking, I proposed a new translation of words, with peers, experts, scholars to discuss.