Spoken English phrase
What does “not too…” mean?
"Not too + adjective" means this quality is okay, but only a little. People use it to set a polite limit in a request or preference.
When people say it
- For food or drinks: "Something fruity, not too strong."
- For taste or feeling: "Not too sweet, please."
- For size, length, or distance: "About an inch off. Not too short, please."
- For time or plans: "Tomorrow morning, please, but not too early."
Tone: It is casual and polite, and it usually sounds softer than a direct command.
Careful: Do not say "Please don't too spicy." Say "Not too spicy, please." Most often, "not too" is followed by an adjective, but you can also say "not too much" or "not too many".
In 12 of Lin's scenes
Real lines from the scenes. Open one to watch it and say it yourself.
I'll try a single malt Scotch. Not too smoky, please.Ordering whisky · Intermediate
Hi, can I get something fruity, not too strong?Ordering a cocktail · Intermediate
About an inch. Not too short, please.Getting a haircut · Intermediate
Somewhere in the middle, not too close to the screen.Buying movie tickets · Intermediate
Short and round, please. Not too long.Getting a gel manicure · Intermediate
Sounds great. Not too sweet, please.Ordering at a bar · Intermediate
Tomorrow morning, please. Not too early.Buying high-speed rail tickets · Beginner
Just a little, not too spicy.Ordering at a Chinese restaurant · Beginner
Yes, but not too much.Visiting a night market · Beginner
Fair enough. Sunday works for me, but maybe not too late?Rescheduling plans · Advanced
Sure, but not too spicy, please.Eating Sichuan food with a friend · Beginner
Salad, please. And not too rare.Ordering steak · Beginner
Shadow
Line by line
Lin
I'll try a single malt Scotch. Not too smoky, please.
Lin
Hi, can I get something fruity, not too strong?
Lin
About an inch. Not too short, please.
Other ways to say it
not very
Close in meaning, but it can sound more like description than a polite request.
nothing too ...
Common when choosing food, clothes, or ideas: "Nothing too sweet."
on the mild side
A natural option for taste, spice, or alcohol when you want a softer version.
Quick answers
Does "not too" mean "not at all"?
No. It means a small amount is okay. "Not too smoky" means some smoky taste is fine, just not a lot.
What comes after "not too"?
Most often, an adjective, like "sweet", "strong", or "early". But you can also say "not too much sugar" or "not too many people".