A Local Conundrum

An dtigeann tu?
Do you understand?

I've noticed that certain phrases bear a greater weight in another language. They carry themselves with authority—even if I can't twist my tongue around a pronunciation.

Reading this phrase in a book and the context in which one character said it to another caught my attention. A translation wasn't needed—although I did check out my own understanding.

Today I asked for stamps at the local post office.

"We're out of stamps."

"How can you be out of stamps. This is a post office."

"I have two left. Do you want them?"

"How can you be out of stamps?"

"Come back tomorrow. We may have some then."

Under my breath I muttered, "You can't be out of stamps. This is a post office.—An dtigeanne tu?"

Once releasing that phrase I felt better about our interchange.