The phrase "what kind" is commonly used to ask about the type, sort, or category of something. It is often used in questions to inquire about preferences, characteristics, or classifications, such as "What kind of dog is it?" or "What kind of music do you like?"

. In American Sign Language (ASL), "what kind" is signed by rotating "K" handshapes around each other, with the dominant hand starting on top of the non-dominant hand, accompanied by a "WH-question" facial expression when used as a question

. Regarding usage nuances in English, "what kind" tends to be more open-ended and can be used when there are many possible answers. It can also be used rhetorically, as in "What kind of fool am I?" In contrast, "which kind" is often used when the choices are limited and specific, implying a selection from a known set

. Additionally, "kind of" and "sort of" are nearly interchangeable phrases used to describe something roughly or generally

. In summary:

• "What kind" asks about the type or category of something, often broadly.
• It is used in spoken English and ASL with specific signs and expressions.
• "What kind" is more open-ended than "which kind," which implies a limited set of options.
• "Kind of" can also be used to describe something approximately or generally.

This usage is common in everyday questions about preferences, types, and categories of objects, activities, or qualities