'Guǎ fù' literally combines 寡 (guǎ), meaning 'few' or 'lacking', historically implying the absence of a husband, and 妇 (fù), meaning 'married woman'. Together, they form a formal, respectful term for a woman whose husband has died and who has not remarried. While neutral in tone, it carries cultural weight — traditionally associated with Confucian values of fidelity and resilience, and often appearing in literature, historical narratives, or official documents.

The word is not used in casual speech among friends; instead, people may say '她丈夫去世了' ('her husband passed away') to avoid direct reference. In modern contexts, 'guǎ fù' appears in legal, social welfare, or psychological discussions — for example, regarding bereavement support or inheritance rights. It’s gender-specific (only for women) and does not imply age, socioeconomic status, or marital duration, though it presupposes the marriage was legally recognized.