Learn Turkish: Milyoneri görünce sadece bağış isterdik. - Upon seeing the millionaire, we would only ask for a donation.

isterdik combines the verb root iste-, the aorist suffix -r (used for habits), the past tense suffix -di, and the "we" ending -k. This combination (-rdi) forms the "past aorist" tense. It is used to express past habits ("we used to ask") or the main clause of a conditional idea ("we would ask").

Why is the accusative suffix -i used on milyoneri?

The suffix -i marks a specific, definite direct object. Because the sentence refers to a specific person ("the millionaire") rather than a general one ("a millionaire"), it takes the definite accusative case to be the direct object of the action görünce (upon seeing).

How does the word görünce work to mean "upon seeing"?

görünce is formed by adding the suffix -(y)ince (which becomes -ünce here due to vowel harmony) to the verb root gör- (to see). This suffix connects two actions, meaning "when," "as soon as," or "upon doing" the first action.

I learned that istemek means "to want". Why is it translated as "ask for" here?

While istemek directly translates to "to want," it is also the standard Turkish verb used when requesting something from someone. In contexts where you "want" an item from another person (like a donation), translating it as "to ask for" sounds much more natural in English.