Spoken English phrase
What does “kind of” mean?
"Kind of" has two very common uses. It can mean "type of", or it can soften what you say to mean "a little" or "not exactly, but close".
When people say it
- Ask about a type: "What kind of bread do you want?"
- Talk about one type in a group: "That’s my favorite kind of exercise."
- Soften an adjective, or in speech sometimes a verb: "I’m kind of tired." / "I kind of forgot."
- Give a partial yes: "Is it like a computer?" "Kind of."
Tone: As "type of", it is neutral and very common. As "a little" or "not exactly", it is more casual and can sound softer or less direct.
Careful: Do not always read "kind" as "nice". In "what kind of bread", it means "type of". In "kind of tired", it means "a little tired".
In 12 of Lin's scenes
Real lines from the scenes. Open one to watch it and say it yourself.
Sure. What kind of bread? White, wheat, or sourdough?Customizing a sandwich order · Intermediate
Kind of! Add scallions, cucumber, and the sweet sauce.Eating Peking duck · Intermediate
Kind of. It types random letters.Repairing a cracked screen · Intermediate
Perfect. Flat is my favorite kind of exercise.Renting a bike for the day · Intermediate
That sounds solid—I skipped dinner, so breakfast is kind of covering two jobs.Chinese breakfast · Advanced
That's exactly the kind of compliment I was hoping for today.Giving and receiving compliments · Advanced
Kind of. The cells are my coworkers.Answering "What do you do?" · Beginner
Perfect. Mild mapo, heroic intentions, and backup rice—my favorite kind of confidence.Ordering at a Chinese restaurant · Advanced
Yeah, probably—what kind of cable does your phone take?Borrowing a charger · Advanced
Nice. What kind of work do you enjoy most?Introducing yourself at an interview · Intermediate
Okay, the raspberry's dangerously good; now I kind of have to compare it.Trying ice cream flavors · Advanced
That is kind of cute.Confessing your feelings · Beginner
Shadow
Line by line
Lin
Sure. What kind of bread? White, wheat, or sourdough?
Lin
Kind of! Add scallions, cucumber, and the sweet sauce.
Lin
Kind of. It types random letters.
Other ways to say it
type of
Best when you mean category in a clear, neutral way.
sort of
Very close to "kind of", with the same soft, spoken feeling.
somewhat
Means "a little", but sounds more formal than "kind of".
Quick answers
Is "kind of" the same as "type of"?
Only in the category meaning. In "kind of tired", it does not mean "type of"; it means "a little".
Why do people say "Kind of." by itself?
Here it means "partly" or "not exactly, but close". People use it to give a soft, not fully yes answer.