孕妇 literally combines 孕 (yùn), meaning 'to be pregnant' or 'pregnancy', and 妇 (fù), meaning 'woman' or 'married woman'. Together, they form a formal, respectful noun meaning 'pregnant woman'—a term commonly used in medical, public, and official contexts. It emphasizes the physiological state rather than personal identity, so it’s neutral and appropriate for professional communication.

This word appears frequently in healthcare settings (e.g., prenatal care notices), public signage (e.g., priority seating on buses), and news reports. Unlike colloquial terms like 怀孕的人 (huái yùn de rén) or slang such as 有喜了 (yǒu xǐ le), 孕妇 carries no emotional connotation—it’s factual, dignified, and universally understood across Mandarin-speaking regions.