kind of
kinda
/ˈkaɪndə/Reduction
In real speech
What happens to the sounds
of weakens to /ə/ and the f drops out: kind of → “KIND-a”.
When to use it
Softens what you say: I'm kinda tired. Also used as a filler, like “sort of”.
Casual → formal
Slang
kinda
Neutral
kind of / a bit
Formal
somewhat
Sound notes
Reduction: unstressed words get squeezed, and their vowels turn into the neutral sound /ə/.