Abstract: The term “setting” is widely used in western culture relic conservation. Due to the differences between eastern and western culture and language, the Chinese translation of “setting” still remains undefined. It is necessary to trace the origin of “setting” from the perspective of English context and explore its conception and connotation, which is beneficial to find out its proper Chinese translation. In most cases “setting” is related to human beings events. Which is more important, the “setting” corresponds to what is built on it or anything happens in it. The Chinese term “背景环境” contains most content of “setting” and it can be a translation of “setting”.

Key words: setting, connotation, set, correspond