Pronunciation: [pˈɪt͡ʃa͡ɪ] (IPA) 
The word "pichi" is spelled "p-i-c-h-i" in English. The IPA phonetic transcription for "pichi" is /ˈpi.tʃi/. The first syllable "pi" is pronounced with a short "i" sound as in "pit." The second syllable "chi" is pronounced with a "ch" sound as in "church" followed by a short "i" sound. Together, "pichi" is pronounced as "PEE-chee" with the emphasis on the first syllable. "Pichi" is a Spanish word that means "small" or "tiny."
Pichi is a noun with multiple meanings, often used as a regional name. It can refer to a variant of the Spanish language known as Pichi, primarily spoken in Equatorial Guinea, a country in Central Africa. This dialect is influenced by Bantu languages and includes vocabularies from Fang, the main ethnic group in the country. Pichi can also pertain to the ethnic group itself.
In addition to its linguistic connotations, pichi can also describe a small South American rodent known as the "pichi," scientifically recognized as the species Zaedyus pichiy. This burrowing mammal is a member of the Dasypodidae family, closely related to the armadillos, and found in regions of Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay. Known for its unique appearance, the pichi features a stocky body covered in a protective shell-like armor made of bony plates.
Furthermore, pichi is used to describe a shrubby plant called "pichi" (Berberis darwinii) native to regions of Chile and Argentina. This evergreen shrub belongs to the family Berberidaceae and is characterized by its small, bright yellow flowers and purple berries.
In slang terms, pichi can also be used to describe something as "small" or "tiny" in certain Latin American countries, mainly Argentina and Uruguay. It is often employed colloquially to refer to something insignificant or unimportant.
Fabiana.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "pichi" comes from the Mapudungun language, which is spoken by the Mapuche people of Chile and Argentina. In Mapudungun, "pichi" means "small" or "little". Over time, it has been adopted and incorporated into the Spanish language, primarily in Chile, with the same meaning.
