Abstract: Referential meaning is the most essential content of linguistic signs,and the basis of other meanings.The basic requirement in translation exists in reproduction of referential meaning.Due to differences in various characteristics between English and Chinese in terms of phonetics,vocabulary,syntax,ways of thinking,and culture,it is a hard nut to crack to reproduce referential meaning.The paper is intended to study how to reproduce word referential meaning in connection with the distinction between referential meaning and literal meaning,the role that context plays in determining referential meaning,and translation strategies of referential meaning.