TTL/UART is not RS232.
There are actually two different TTL's, a 3.3V and a 5 V one. (the former being sometimes called LVTTL)
Most (not all) circuits/boards that use 5V TTL work with 3.3V levels, while using 5V TTL levels on a 3.3V board may actually fry it (the distinction is between "pure 3.3V" and "5V tolerant").
https://documentation.euresys.com/Produ ... levels.htm
https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/logic-levels/all
Only for the record there is even another two lower levels, 2.5V and 1.8V.
Converters that are multi-level do exist, example:
https://www.usangreencable.com/products ... le-adapter