数 + 量词（＝几）
several; a few (the written 几)
Structure
数 量词 （+ 名词） ／ 数 十／百／千 （+ 量词 + 名词）
What it means
数 (shù) is the written 几: an unspecified small number, about three to nine. Before 十, 百, 千 or 万 it gives a rough size.
How it is built
数 + measure word (+ noun), or 数 + 十／百／千 + measure word: 数日 (a few days), 数十名救援人员 (several dozen rescue workers).
When to use it
News, essays and classical lines; in speech say 几 or 好几. In the story of 一字之师 the point is that 数枝 means 好几枝, too many for an early plum.
Watch out
It never asks a question: ✗ 你来了数天？ ✓ 你来了几天？ Don't confuse it with the verb 数 shǔ (to count), or with 数以万计 (in tens of thousands).
Examples
前村深雪里，昨夜数枝开。
In the village ahead, deep in the snow, last night several sprays came into bloom. (齐己《早梅》)
有的上联出得太妙，数百年来没人能对得让大家满意。
Some first lines are so ingenious that for centuries nobody has matched them to everyone’s satisfaction.
事故发生后，数十名救援人员很快赶到了现场。
After the accident several dozen rescue workers were quickly on the scene.
Learn this in Lesson 220 · HSK 9+: 对联、灯谜与飞花令 (Couplets, riddles and poem games)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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