Bacterial colonization refers to the phenomenon that bacteria from different environments touch the body, then adhering, growing and multiplying on certain parts. Both the protective effect of commensal bacteria on the intestinal tract and the infection caused by pathogenic bacteria often depend on bacterial colonization. At present, the translation of “bacterial colonization” is inconsistent in a lot of textbooks and journals, and there is a mixed use. No clear conclusion has been reached as to which is the correct use. In order to avoid the above problems and provide a reference for the correct translation of “bacterial colonization”, this paper analyzed and discussed the conditions, process, significance and current usage of “bacterial colonization”, and finally determined the suitable translation for the “bacterial colonization”.