tipo
/ˈti.po/
In Italian, "kind of" is expressed as tipo.
In informal spoken Italian, it also serves as a versatile filler word meaning "kind of" or "like."
Meaning: somewhat (adv)
What does it mean word for word?
The word tipo literally means "type" or "kind."
Which one should you use?
While tipo can be used colloquially to mean "sort of," the adverb un po' is the more standard way to express "somewhat" or "a little bit."
How does it change in a sentence?
When you are using the phrase to describe a category, such as "kind of music," use the construction tipo di followed by the noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈti.po/. The word has two syllables, with the stress on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- The root of tipo actually comes from a verb meaning 'to beat' or 'to strike', referring to the physical mark left by a blow.
- Beyond its meaning as 'kind of', un tipo is a common colloquial way to refer to a 'guy' or a 'fellow', often implying a specific personality or character.
- While tipo is common in casual speech, using it to mean 'somewhat' can make you sound like a teenager or someone using 'like' as a filler in English.
Examples in context
- Che tipo di cane è?What kind of dog is it?This sentence is useful for asking about the variety of a dog using tipo.Tatoeba #7134009 by Guybrush88, translation #3738719 by CK
- Che tipo di musica?What kind of music?This sentence is useful for asking about the variety of music using tipo.Tatoeba #11898100 by Guybrush88, translation #5416319 by Abdulaziz
- Che tipo di cibo è?What kind of food is that?This sentence is useful for asking about the variety of food using tipo.Tatoeba #13455129 by Guybrush88, translation #10962428 by CK
- Non riesco a spiegare bene, ma è in qualche modo complicato.I can't explain well, but it's kind of complicated.
- Devo ammettere che in un certo senso hai ragione.I have to admit that, kind of, you're right.
- Non so, tipo, sono molto stanco.I don' know, kind of, I'm really tired.
- Sembra in qualche modo strano.It seems kind of strange.
- È in un certo senso una delusione.It's kind of a disappointment.
- Hai tipo la soluzione?Do you have, like, the solution?
- 591 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofia and Alessandro are discussing a new restaurant.
- SofiaTi piace questo posto?Do you like this place?
- AlessandroSì, è tipo carino.Yes, it is kind of nice.
- SofiaPerò il conto è tipo alto.But the bill is kind of high.
- AlessandroHai ragione, Sofia.You are right, Sofia.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry tipo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tipo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
