tjen

Tjen is a surname found among people of Chinese descent in Southeast Asia and among the broader Chinese diaspora. In this usage, Tjen is a romanization variant of the Chinese surname 陈 (Chén). The spelling reflects historical romanization practices in Hokkien and Teochew dialects, as well as Dutch-influenced transliteration that occurred in colonial-era records in parts of Indonesia and the Netherlands.

As with many Chinese surnames, the same character may be rendered in multiple ways depending on dialect and transliteration system. Consequently, individuals with the surname Tjen may also be listed under different spellings in records or genealogies, such as Chen, Tan, Tjan, or Ch’en. The pronunciation associated with Tjen typically aligns with the local dialect form of 陈 rather than a direct English reading of the letters.

In contemporary contexts, Tjen is primarily encountered as a family name rather than a common noun or term with a stand-alone meaning. It serves as an identifying surname for individuals and families within the Chinese-descended communities that historically used these romanizations.

See also:

- Chen (surname)

- Hokkien romanization

- Teochew romanization

Note: The precise usage and pronunciation of Tjen can vary by country, community, and historical period, reflecting the broader patterns of Chinese diaspora surname romanization.