Abstract: “False friends,” a term widely used in second language teaching and researching, is normally translated and accepted as “假朋友” in Chinese. However, it is found that the intension and extension of this term vary considerably among its users. A lack of sense of norms is, among others, the main reason for its confusing usage. This paper intends to track down the origin of the term to clarify its concept as well as its intension and extension. We also argued that terms should still maintain their monosemy when translated during their cross cultural journeys.

Key words: false friends, translated term, intension, extension