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Questions & Answers about Sanırım kral gelmiş.
Why do we use gelmiş here instead of geldi?
We use gelmiş because it has the -miş suffix, which is the inferential or reported past tense. This means the speaker didn't personally see the king arrive. They are either guessing or realizing it based on clues, which perfectly matches the use of sanırım (I think).
What is the exact breakdown of the word sanırım?
It comes from the verb sanmak (to suppose or believe). It is conjugated in the broad time (aorist) tense: san-ır-ım translates literally to 'I suppose'. It is mostly used as a fixed expression meaning 'I think' or 'I guess'.
Can I say Sanırım kral geldi instead?
While you might hear native speakers occasionally mix them in casual speech, it sounds logically contradictory. Sanırım means you are guessing, while geldi (with the -di suffix) implies you are certain or saw it happen with your own eyes. Using gelmiş is much more natural and grammatically correct here.