Breakdown of Wydaje mi się, że odległość stąd to kilometrów dziesięć.
to
is (linking copula)
dziesięć
ten
mi
to me
że
that
kilometr
kilometer
wydawać się
to seem
stąd
from here
odległość
distance
Questions & Answers about Wydaje mi się, że odległość stąd to kilometrów dziesięć.
Why is the order kilometrów dziesięć instead of dziesięć kilometrów?
This is called syntactic numeral approximation. By flipping the normal order of the number and the noun, you change the meaning to "about" or "approximately". So dziesięć kilometrów means exactly ten kilometers, while kilometrów dziesięć means "about ten kilometers".
Why is kilometrów in the genitive case here? Does the inverted order change how numbers affect the noun?
The inverted order doesn't change the case rules. In Polish, numbers five and up require the noun they count to be in the genitive plural. Just like you would say dziesięć kilometrów, you keep that same genitive plural form when you flip them to kilometrów dziesięć.
Why is the word to used here instead of jest for "is"?
In Polish, when you equate a noun or noun phrase with another noun phrase (here, equating the distance with the amount of kilometers), it is very common and natural to use to as the linking word. It acts like an equals sign between the two halves of the sentence.
The English translation says "I think", but doesn't wydaje mi się literally mean "it seems to me"?
Yes, literally it means "it seems to me". However, native Polish speakers use wydaje mi się, że very frequently to express a personal opinion or estimation. It is the most natural equivalent to the casual English "I think" or "I guess" in contexts where you are not completely certain.
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