How to say "several" in Japanese

• 数すうJLPT N3approx.Common
  prefixThe broadest choice: 'several; a few; a number of'. Use it when you simply mean an indefinite small number, without stressing that the items differ from one another.
  あの木きの枝えだに数羽かずはの鳥とりがとまっている。↗

  Some birds are sitting on the branch of that tree.
• 諸しょJLPT N1approx.Common
  prefixLeans toward 'various; many': it presents several things as a set of different ones rather than a counted few. For the plain counting sense of 'several', this is seldom the word you want.
  諸しょ設備せつびの費用ひようは払はらっていただきます。↗

  You have to pay for utilities.
• 数個すうこCommon
  nounThe concrete counting expression: several objects, usually from two to six. Choose it when you are literally counting a small number of discrete items.
  この発電所はつでんしょだけで数すう個この市しに電力でんりょくを供給きょうきゅうしている。↗

  This power station alone provides several cities with electricity.
• 諸般しょはんCommon
  no-adjectiveReally means 'various': several distinct things taken together rather than counted one by one. When you simply mean a small counted number, this is not the word to reach for.
• 幾いくCommon
  prefixMeans 'some; several; a few', with the accent on vagueness: the amount is left uncounted. For a plainly counted 'several', 数 or 数個 are the surer choices; 幾 suits a deliberately vague 'some'.
  白しろいガラスに、幾いく色いろかの色いろガラスが入はいり、かわいらしい印象いんしょうに仕上しあがりました。↗

  To the white glass, I added glass of various colours, producing a pretty feel.

Use 数 for a plain indefinite 'several', 数個 when counting a few objects (usually two to six), and treat 諸, 諸般 and 幾 as the vaguer 'various' or 'some' choices rather than counting words.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 数すうseveral
• 諸しょvarious
• 数個すうこseveral (objects, usu. from two to six)
• 諸般しょはんvarious
• 幾いくsome
• いくつか(a) few
• 数隻すうせきseveral (boats)
• 何なんseveral