While a “plate” might seem culturally neutral, the use of 盘子 (pánzi) is deeply tied to Chinese dining etiquette, which is often communal. In a traditional Chinese meal, various dishes are brought out on large serving 盘子 (pánzi) and placed in the center of the table. Each person has their own 碗 (wǎn), or bowl, of rice, and uses their chopsticks to take food from the shared central plates. This contrasts sharply with the Western tradition of serving food on individual, large plates. The shared 盘子 reinforces the cultural values of community, sharing, and family togetherness during a meal. A very relevant modern cultural phenomenon is the 光盘行动 (guāng pán xíngdòng), or “Clean Plate Campaign.” Promoted by the government to combat food waste, this slogan encourages people to finish all the food on their plate (or in their bowl). The “光 (guāng)” means “empty” or “bare,” so it literally translates to “empty the plate action.” You will often see posters about it in restaurants across China.
This is the most common usage you'll encounter. It's used to refer to the physical object for holding food. It can refer to a dinner plate, a serving platter, or a tray.
The character 盘 (pán) by itself has evolved to mean “market,” “game,” or “situation.” This has led to several important modern slang and business terms that you will frequently hear in news and conversation.