从 1937 年第一个冠状病毒被发现，到 SARS-CoV-2(Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2)在全球的大肆蔓延，冠状病毒家族许多成员通过感染哺乳动物及禽鸟类等给自然界及人类社会带来巨大威胁，特别是部分β属人类冠状病毒，因其高度的传染性、暴发性以及高致死性，引起了持续广泛的社会恐慌。通过归纳冠状病毒的特征及分类、结构及感染机制、溯源及演变规律以及它们的传播途径及影响因素，可以增加人们对冠状病毒的认知和了解，并对冠状病毒的感染防治提供理论支撑。

From the discovery of the first coronavirus in 1937 to the global spread of SARS-CoV-2 Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2, many members of the coronavirus family pose a great threat to nature and human society by causing a variety of diseases in mammals and birds. Especially some of the Genus human coronaviruses, due to their high infectivity, instant outbreak and high fatality, have caused widespread and extensive social panic. By summing up features, classification, genomic structure, infection mechanism, origin and evolution rule of coronavirus, as well as its route of transmission and influence factor, the paper can enable people to have the relevant cognition and understanding of coronavirus, and provide the theoretical support for prevention and treatment of coronavirus infection.