孤寡 (gū guǎ) is a fixed, classical compound noun meaning 'widowed and orphaned'—referring to people who have lost both spouse and children, or more broadly, those who are socially isolated due to the absence of immediate family. The character 孤 (gū) means 'orphaned' or 'alone', often implying loss of parents; 寡 (guǎ) means 'widowed', especially a woman whose husband has died. Together, they form a solemn, literary term emphasizing profound familial loss and vulnerability.

This term appears most frequently in formal, compassionate, or administrative contexts—such as government welfare programs, charitable reports, or news about elderly care. It carries strong connotations of social marginalization and need for support. While historically gendered (寡 traditionally referred only to widows), modern usage is increasingly gender-neutral when describing elderly individuals living alone without dependents or caregivers.