Italian Phrase
È un po' troppo caro.
Meaning
Literally “It’s a little too expensive.” The speaker is saying that the price is higher than they consider reasonable, but the tone is softened by the “un po'”.
When to use
Use this phrase while shopping, looking at menus, or negotiating a price when you want to express that something exceeds your budget without sounding overly harsh.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Èunpo'troppocaro
È (essere)
Third‑person singular present of the verb *essere*, used here as a copula linking the subject (implicit) to the adjective phrase.
un po'
A fixed expression meaning “a little”. The apostrophe marks the elision of the final vowel of *poco*.
troppo (adverb)
Adverb meaning “too, overly”. It precedes the adjective it modifies.
caro (adjective)
Adjective meaning “expensive”. It agrees in gender and number with the noun it describes (masc. singular here).
🗨In Conversation
Quanto costa questo orologio?
How much does this watch cost?
È un po' troppo caro.
It’s a little too expensive.
✕Common Mistakes
È troppo un po' caro.
The adverb *troppo* must come before the adjective, not after *un po'*.
È un po' troppo caro.
The correct order is *un po' troppo*; placing *troppo* after *un po'* sounds unnatural.
È un po' troppo carissimo.
Both *troppo* and the superlative *carissimo* convey excess; using them together is redundant.
↔Alternatives
È un po' costoso.
It’s a bit costly.
Costa un po' troppo.
It costs a little too much.
È un po' fuori dal mio budget.
It’s a little out of my budget.
Cultural Tip
In Italian, softening words like *un po'* are common when commenting on price; they keep the conversation polite and avoid sounding confrontational. In the north, people may add *un po'* more often, while in the south a direct *troppo caro* can feel stronger. Always pair the comment with a smile or a friendly tone to keep the exchange pleasant.