烤鸭 (kǎo yā) literally means 'roast duck' — the character 烤 (kǎo) means 'to roast' or 'to bake', and 鸭 (yā) means 'duck'. Together, they refer specifically to the iconic Chinese dish of crispy-skinned, tender duck roasted in a special oven, most famously Beijing roast duck. It is typically served sliced with thin pancakes, scallions, cucumber, and sweet bean sauce.

This word functions as a compound noun and is almost always used as a food item, not as a general description of any roasted duck. While it can appear in menus, travel guides, or casual conversation about dining, it carries strong cultural associations with northern Chinese cuisine and formal or festive meals. The term does not imply preparation method alone — it evokes the full culinary tradition, including presentation and accompaniments.