QUICK ANSWER
"Sort of" is a phrase which is often translated as "en cierto modo", and "kind of" is a phrase which is often translated as "un poco". Learn more about the difference between "sort of" and "kind of" below.
sort of(
sort
uhv
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
1. (colloquial) (in a way)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. en cierto modo
I sort of hate myself for not answering his texts.En cierto modo me odio por no contestar sus mensajes de texto.
b. un poco como
Coming back here sort of takes me back to my childhood.Volver aquí es un poco como volver a mi infancia.
d. más bien
I think you know his wife. She's sort of tall, blondish.Creo que conoces a su mujer. Es más bien alta, así rubia.
2. (colloquial) (as it were)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
b. algo así como
His mother is sort of a PR executive.Su madre es algo así como relaciones públicas.
c. como
He's sort of dumb. How else would you explain his behavior?Él está como tonto. Si no, ¿cómo te explicas su comportamiento?
3. (colloquial) (in replies)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. más o menos
Is this what you had in mind? - Sort of, maybe slightly bigger.¿Es algo así lo que tenías en mente? - Más o menos, tal vez un poco más grande.
kind of(
kaynd
uhv
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
1. (rather)
a. un poco
Going to my ex-husband's wedding was kind of weird.Ir a la boda de mi exmarido fue un poco raro.
b. medio
It's kind of cold in this house, isn't it?Está medio frío en esta casa, ¿no?
John is an awkward guy - he's kind of a dork, I think.John es un tipo raro. Es medio ganso, me parece.
c. como
She was feeling kind of lonely in that big house.Se sentía como sola en aquella casa grande.
a. algo así
Are you dating Peter? - Kind of. Not sure.¿Estás saliendo con Peter? - Algo así. No sé muy bien.
