Mandarin TempleMandarin Temple Beta Come for Knowledge. Stay for Wisdom.
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
寡妇 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
寡妇guǎfuwidowHSK 7, unknown, 20 strokes, rank #5951, Very Hard
guǎfu(gua3fu5) T3
  1. 1widow
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

寡妇(寡婦)guǎfu(gua3fu5)

The term '寡妇' (guǎfù) refers to a widow, a woman whose spouse has passed away. It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts in discussions surrounding family, societal roles, and marital status.

Strokes20Frequency#5951DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

Widows in Chinese society have historically been viewed through various lenses, with traditional norms often placing restrictions on their roles. The notion of widowhood may evoke discussions around loyalty and familial duty, especially in literature and film.

Memory Tip

Think of '寡' (guǎ) as representing a 'lesser' or 'few,' as in a woman who has lost her husband, thus having fewer family members. The character '妇' (fù) resembles a woman with a 'head' and 'body,' symbolizing a wife. Together, they paint a picture of a woman left alone.

Meanings of 寡妇

guǎfu(gua3fu5)
1widow
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 寡妇

寡妇Simplified
寡婦Traditional
20Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 寡妇

JasonAmy

Podcast: 寡妇

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 寡妇

Quick Contrast

遗孀 (yíshuāng) — use 寡妇 (guǎfu) for general reference, while 遗孀 (yíshuāng) often carries a more formal tone.

Usage Notes

Avoid using '寡妇' in a casual or joking manner, as it can be sensitive for some. Common collocations include '寡妇再婚' (a widow remarrying). Pay attention to the tones, as mispronouncing can change the meaning entirely.

HSK Study Tips

While '寡妇' is not in the HSK vocabulary list, it connects to other family-related words at HSK Level 3, such as '妻子' (wife) and '丈夫' (husband). Focus on the cultural context of family roles when learning this term.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse '寡妇' with '孤儿' (gū'ér), which means orphan. Remember, '寡妇' specifically refers to a widow, not a child without parents.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 寡妇

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 寡妇 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Component Characters

寡guǎwidowed; friendless, alone
14 strokes宀
View full entry
妇fùwoman
HSK 76 strokes女
View full entry

How to say widow in Chinese

“widow” in Chinese is寡妇guǎfu

The term '寡妇' (guǎfù) refers to a widow, a woman whose spouse has passed away. It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts in discussions surrounding family, societal roles, and marital status.

When to use 寡妇

Avoid using '寡妇' in a casual or joking manner, as it can be sensitive for some. Common collocations include '寡妇再婚' (a widow remarrying). Pay attention to the tones, as mispronouncing can change the meaning entirely.

寡妇 or something close to it

遗孀 (yíshuāng) — use 寡妇 (guǎfu) for general reference, while 遗孀 (yíshuāng) often carries a more formal tone.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse '寡妇' with '孤儿' (gū'ér), which means orphan. Remember, '寡妇' specifically refers to a widow, not a child without parents.

Write 寡妇

寡
妇

Practice writing 寡妇 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Frequently Asked Questions about 寡妇

Yes, '寡妇' specifically refers to women who have lost their husbands.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 寡妇?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.