Kind of
in SpanishMás o menos
/MAHS oh MEH-nohs/
This is the most direct and versatile translation for 'kind of' when it means 'so-so' or 'more or less'. It's your go-to phrase for expressing mediocrity or approximation and is understood everywhere.
The universal gesture for 'más o menos' (so-so) is a great visual cue to remember this essential Spanish phrase.
💬Other Ways to Say It
Un poco
/oon POH-koh/
Translates to 'a little'. This is the best choice when 'kind of' is used to modify an adjective, meaning 'somewhat' or 'a bit'.
Algo
/AHL-goh/
Means 'something' or 'somewhat'. It's often used interchangeably with 'un poco' to mean 'a bit' or 'rather'.
Como
/KOH-moh/
Means 'like' or 'as'. In conversation, it's used as a filler word to hedge or soften a statement, just like English 'like' or 'kind of'.
Medio
/MEH-dyoh/
Literally 'half', but used informally to mean 'kind of' or 'sort of', especially in Latin America. It works just like 'un poco' or 'algo' before an adjective.
Una especie de / Un tipo de
/OO-nah ehs-PEH-see-eh deh / oon TEE-poh deh/
This is the literal translation for 'a kind of' or 'a type of'. It's used for classification, not for expressing 'so-so' or 'somewhat'.
En cierto modo / De alguna manera
/en see-EHR-toh MOH-doh / deh ahl-GOO-nah mah-NEH-rah/
These mean 'in a certain way' or 'somehow'. They are more thoughtful, formal ways to say 'in a way' or 'kind of', often used when expressing a complex opinion.
Así así
/ah-SEE ah-SEE/
A classic textbook phrase for 'so-so'. While widely understood, it's considered a bit dated or 'learner Spanish' in many regions. 'Más o menos' is far more common in daily speech.
🔑Key Words
Key Words to learn:
📊Quick Comparison
The English phrase 'kind of' has many meanings. Here’s a quick guide to choosing the right Spanish equivalent for the right situation.
| Phrase | Formality | Best For | Avoid When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Más o menos | Neutral | Answering 'How are you?' or 'How was it?' with 'so-so'. | Modifying an adjective (e.g., 'kind of tired'). |
| Un poco / Algo | Neutral | Saying 'a bit' or 'somewhat' before an adjective (e.g., 'un poco caro'). | Describing a category (use 'un tipo de'). |
| Como | Informal | Hedging or softening a statement in casual conversation. | Formal writing or when you need to be precise. |
| Medio | Informal | Casually saying 'a bit' or 'somewhat' in Latin America. | Formal settings or if you're unsure about regional usage. |
| Un tipo de | Neutral | Literally classifying something as 'a type of...' | Trying to say 'so-so' or 'a little bit'. |
📈Difficulty Level
All the words use sounds that are very common and easy for English speakers to produce.
The individual phrases are grammatically simple, but knowing which one to use in the correct context is the main challenge.
Choosing the right phrase ('más o menos' vs. 'un poco' vs. 'medio') is key to sounding natural and not like a textbook. It requires listening to how native speakers hedge and describe things.
Key Challenges:
- Choosing the correct phrase for the specific meaning of 'kind of'.
- Distinguishing between describing a state ('más o menos') and modifying a quality ('un poco').
- Remembering to use 'qué tipo de' for 'what kind of'.
💡Examples in Action
—¿Te gustó la película? —Más o menos, el final fue un poco predecible.
—Did you like the movie? —Kind of (so-so), the ending was a little predictable.
Estoy un poco preocupado por el examen de mañana.
I'm kind of worried about tomorrow's exam.
Su acento es como una mezcla de español y portugués.
His accent is kind of a mix of Spanish and Portuguese.
En cierto modo, entiendo por qué tomó esa decisión, aunque no la comparto.
In a way (kind of), I understand why he made that decision, although I don't agree with it.
¿Qué tipo de música te gusta escuchar?
What kind of music do you like to listen to?
🌍Cultural Context
The Art of Softening Language
Just like in English, phrases like 'un poco' or 'como' are essential tools for politeness in Spanish. Using them can soften a potentially negative statement, making you sound less blunt. Saying 'La comida está un poco salada' ('The food is a bit salty') is much gentler than 'La comida está salada'.
Is 'Así Así' Out of Style?
Many Spanish textbooks teach 'así así' for 'so-so'. While everyone will understand you, in most of Latin America and even parts of Spain, it sounds a bit foreign or old-fashioned. 'Más o menos' is the universal, natural-sounding choice for daily conversation.
The '-ish' Suffix
A cool, advanced way to say 'kind of' is by using suffixes. Adding '-illo' or '-ón' to words can imply approximation. For example, a 'viejillo' is an 'old-ish man'. This is very colloquial and varies by region, but it's a great sign you're moving beyond basic vocabulary.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Overusing 'Más o Menos'
Mistake: "Using 'más o menos' to modify an adjective, like: 'Estoy más o menos cansado.'"
Correction: Estoy un poco cansado / Estoy algo cansado / Estoy medio cansado.
Confusing 'What kind of...'
Mistake: "Translating 'What kind of car is it?' as '¿Qué más o menos coche es?'"
Correction: ¿Qué tipo de coche es? / ¿Qué clase de coche es?
Gender Agreement with 'Medio'
Mistake: "Changing 'medio' to match the gender of the noun when it means 'kind of': 'La sopa está media fría.'"
Correction: La sopa está medio fría.
💡Pro Tips
Choose Your Modifier Wisely
Think about what you're trying to say. If you mean 'a bit' or 'somewhat' to describe a quality (tired, expensive, weird), use 'un poco', 'algo', or 'medio'. If you mean 'so-so' to describe an overall experience or state, use 'más o menos'.
Hedge with 'Como'
When you're not 100% sure or want to sound less direct, sprinkle 'como' into your sentences. 'Es como una regla no escrita' ('It's kind of an unwritten rule'). This makes your speech sound much more natural and conversational.
When in Doubt, Start with Two
To avoid getting overwhelmed, focus on mastering just two versions first: 'Más o menos' for answering questions about your state or an experience, and 'un poco' for describing things. Once you're comfortable with those, you can start adding the others.
🗺️Regional Variations
Spain
In Spain, it's very common to answer '¿Qué tal?' with 'regular', which means 'okay' or 'so-so', similar to 'más o menos'. 'Ni fu ni fa' is a colloquial way to say you're indifferent about something, that it was neither good nor bad.
Mexico
Mexicans often use 'ahí más o menos' or the optimistic 'ahí la llevo' ('I'm carrying on'/'I'm managing') to mean 'so-so'. 'Medio' is also very common in casual speech, as in 'ando medio crudo' ('I'm kind of hungover').
Argentina & Uruguay
The use of 'medio' is extremely common and a hallmark of informal River Plate Spanish: 'Estoy medio apurado' ('I'm kind of in a hurry'). 'Ahí andamos' ('There we walk') is another common way to say 'we're getting by'.
📱Texting & Social Media
Más o menos
WhatsApp, social media comments, casual texts.
—Q tal la peli? —+ o -, no la volvería a ver
—How was the movie? —So-so, I wouldn't watch it again
💬What Comes Next?
You say a restaurant was 'más o menos'.
¿Ah sí? ¿Por qué?
Oh yeah? Why?
El servicio era un poco lento.
The service was a little slow.
You say 'Estoy un poco cansado/a'.
¿Quieres tomar un café?
Do you want to get a coffee?
Sí, ¡gracias! Eso me ayudaría mucho.
Yes, thanks! That would help a lot.
You describe an idea as 'algo complicado'.
A ver, explícamelo.
Let's see, explain it to me.
Bueno, en cierto modo, es como...
Well, in a way, it's like...
🧠Memory Tricks
This direct link makes it one of the easiest phrases to remember because the logic is identical in both languages.
This sound association connects the Spanish word 'poco' to the English concept of 'a little bit'.
🔄How It Differs from English
English uses 'kind of' as an all-purpose conversational filler to soften almost any verb, adjective, or noun. Spanish is more precise. You can't just drop 'más o menos' anywhere. You must select the right tool for the job: 'un poco' for adjectives, 'como' for hedging comparisons, and 'un tipo de' for classification.
False Friends & Common Confusions:
Why it's different: This is a question about category, not degree. Translating it with a phrase like 'más o menos' is a common error.
Use instead: Always use '¿Qué tipo de...?' or '¿Qué clase de...?' when asking to classify something.
🎯Your Learning Path
➡️ Learn Next:
How to say 'I think that...'
After learning to soften statements with 'kind of', the next step is to learn how to express your opinions directly with 'Creo que...' or 'Pienso que...'
How to say 'a little bit'
This builds directly on 'un poco' by introducing the diminutive 'un poquito', which is extremely common and adds another layer of nuance.
How to say 'I'm not sure'
Expressing uncertainty with 'No estoy seguro/a' is a natural conversational partner to saying something is 'kind of' one way or another.
How to agree and disagree in Spanish
Once you can state a nuanced opinion using 'kind of', you'll need to know how to respond to others' opinions.
✏️Test Your Knowledge
💡 Quick Quiz: Kind of
Question 1 of 3
Your friend asks how you're feeling after a long day. You're not great, but not terrible. What's the most natural response?
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the real difference between 'más o menos' and 'un poco'?
Think of it this way: 'más o menos' rates the whole experience on a scale (e.g., How was the party? So-so.). 'Un poco' modifies a specific characteristic (e.g., The music was a little loud.). You use 'más o menos' to give an overall grade, and 'un poco' to describe a detail.
Is it okay to use 'así así'? I learned it in my Spanish class.
Yes, it's okay and everyone will understand you! However, it can make you sound like a student. In most of the Spanish-speaking world, 'más o menos' is a much more common and natural-sounding way to express 'so-so' in everyday conversation.
How do I ask 'What kind of...?' in Spanish?
This is a critical distinction. To ask about a category or type, always use '¿Qué tipo de...?' or '¿Qué clase de...?'. For example, '¿Qué tipo de comida sirven?' (What kind of food do they serve?). Never use 'más o menos' for this.
When would I use 'medio' instead of 'un poco'?
'Medio' and 'un poco' are often interchangeable when they mean 'kind of' or 'a bit'. 'Medio' tends to be more informal and is very common in Latin America. For example, 'Estoy medio cansado' is a very natural, casual way to say 'I'm kind of tired'.
Can 'como' really mean 'kind of'?
Absolutely. In informal speech, 'como' (like) is frequently used to hedge or soften a statement, just as we use 'like' or 'kind of' in English. For instance, 'Fue como una situación incómoda' means 'It was kind of an awkward situation'.
Is 'algo' more formal than 'un poco'?
Sometimes it can sound slightly more formal or literary, but in most conversational contexts, 'algo' and 'un poco' are very close synonyms. You can say 'estoy algo cansado' or 'estoy un poco cansado' and the meaning is virtually identical. 'Un poco' is generally more common in everyday speech.
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