更に向こうへ Plus Ultra
sara ni mukō e purasu urutora
The English phrase "go beyond plus ultra" is expressed in Japanese as 更に向こうへ Plus Ultra (sara ni mukō e purasu urutora).
This expression is a highly dramatic, motivational slogan. It is constructed by combining a Japanese phrase meaning "further toward the beyond" with the Latin "Plus Ultra" to encourage someone to push past their current limits and achieve more.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is broken down as follows: 更に (sara ni) means "further" or "more," indicating an increase in degree or extent, and 向こうへ (mukō e) means "toward the other side" or "toward the beyond."
How do you pronounce it?
sara ni mukō e purasu urutora
Did you know?
- This specific combination of Japanese and Latin is heavily associated with the anime 'My Hero Academia', where it serves as the official motto of the U.A. High School.
- The Latin 'Plus Ultra' was once the motto of Spain, specifically chosen to overturn the ancient 'Non Plus Ultra' which claimed nothing existed beyond the Pillars of Hercules.
- Because of the dramatic combination of Japanese and Latin, this specific phrasing is almost never used in daily business or polite conversation, but is reserved for high-stakes storytelling or intense sports coaching.
Example conversation
Yui is encouraging Yota during a sports practice.
- 結衣 Yui陽太、諦めないで！更に向こうへ Plus Ultraだよ！Youta, akiramenaide! Sara ni mukou e Plus Ultra dayo!Youta, don't give up! Go beyond Plus Ultra!
- 陽太 Yotaうう、もう限界だ…Uu, mou genkai da…Ugh, I'm already at my limit…
- 結衣 Yuiここからが本番。更に向こうへ Plus Ultraだ！Koko kara ga honban. Sara ni mukou e Plus Ultra da!This is where it really begins. Go beyond Plus Ultra!
- 陽太 Yotaわかった！もう一度やってみるよ！Wakatta! Mou ichido yattemiru yo!I got it! I'll try one more time!
