# Chen

/ˈtʃɛn/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/chen
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. surname

noun · CEFR A1

a very common family name for people of Chinese descent.

For teachers: a common Chinese surname, representing the transliteration of the character 陈 (Chén) or other similar characters.

- Professor Chen is the head of the chemistry department at the university.
- The research paper was co-authored by Dr. Chen and several colleagues from the Institute of Physics.

Usage: Capitalized as a proper noun.

### 2. ethnic slur

noun · CEFR C2 · American English · Vulgar · Slang

an offensive and rude name used for a Chinese person whose name you do not know.

For teachers: a derogatory ethnic slur used as a generic placeholder name for a Chinese person. This usage is highly offensive and socially unacceptable.

- The old movie contained offensive language, including the use of 'Chen' as a generic name for the shopkeeper.
- Linguistic historians note that the use of common surnames like 'Chen' as generic slurs was a feature of mid-century xenophobic rhetoric.

Usage: Used as a common noun in this derogatory sense.

Teaching tip: This sense is highly offensive and should be avoided entirely; it is included here for historical and literary comprehension only.

## Examples

- Mr. Chen is our new science teacher.
- The local community center is hosting a photography exhibition featuring the works of several artists, including Sarah Chen.
- Genealogical records indicate that the Chen lineage remains one of the most populous and geographically dispersed surnames across the global Chinese diaspora.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.