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J'estime qu'il y a une dizaine de clients.

J'estime qu'il y a une dizaine de clients.
I estimate that there are about ten clients.
From Lesson 227:Approximative numbers (-aine)·French

Questions & Answers about J'estime qu'il y a une dizaine de clients.

Why does the spelling change from dix to dizaine?
When adding the suffix -aine to create an approximate number, the French word dix changes its final x to a z. This creates a smoother "z" sound that connects easily with the vowel in the suffix, giving us une dizaine (about ten).
Since there are multiple clients, why is it de clients instead of des clients?
The word dizaine functions as a noun indicating a quantity, similar to un groupe (a group) or un kilo (a kilo). In French, expressions of quantity are almost always followed by the preposition de (or d') without the plural article les, so it remains de clients rather than des clients.
Doesn't expressing an opinion usually require the subjunctive mood? Why do we use the indicative il y a here?
Verbs that declare a thought, belief, or estimation (like estimer, penser, or croire) take the regular indicative mood when used in the affirmative. You are stating what you believe to be a reality. You would only use the subjunctive if the verb were negative (je n'estime pas qu'il y ait...) or in a question, which introduces doubt.
Does une dizaine always mean "about ten"?
It frequently means "about ten," but it can also refer to a specific group of exactly ten things. However, in this sentence, the verb estimer (to estimate) makes it completely clear that the speaker is guessing the number, so it translates to "approximately ten."

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