Translation guide
The English word "composition" covers several distinct meanings. This guide breaks them down into practical categories for learners: creating music/writing, the structure of something, a school essay, and the makeup of a substance. Each meaning has its own natural Japanese expressions.
Referring to the process or result of creating an original piece of music, a poem, a painting, etc.
Specifically for composing music. Use this when talking about writing a song or musical piece.
彼は新しい曲を作曲している。
He is composing a new song.
General term for creative work or production, including writing, art, and sometimes music. Emphasizes originality.
彼女は小説の創作に専念している。
She is devoted to the creation of novels.
Used for producing works of art, films, or other creative projects. More about the process of making.
映画の制作には多くの時間がかかる。
The production of a movie takes a lot of time.
Refers to writing or literary work, often used in formal contexts like "the writings of Shakespeare."
この本は彼の著作です。
This book is his work.
Describing what something is made of, its constituent parts, or how it is arranged.
The most common word for the composition or structure of something, like a team, a system, or a piece of writing.
この委員会の構成はどうなっていますか。
What is the composition of this committee?
文章の構成を考える。
Think about the structure of the text.
Used for the ingredients or chemical composition of a substance, like food, medicine, or materials.
Refers to the physical structure or framework of an object, building, or organization.
Technical term for chemical or material composition, often used in science.
A short piece of writing done as a school exercise, often on a given topic.
The standard word for a school composition or essay. Used from elementary through high school.
夏休みの思い出について作文を書いた。
I wrote a composition about my summer vacation memories.
Loanword from English, used for essays in a broader sense, including personal or creative non-fiction.
The way elements are arranged in a painting, photograph, or other visual work.
Specifically refers to the composition or layout of a picture, photograph, or painting.
この写真は構図が素晴らしい。
This photograph has a wonderful composition.
作文 (sakubun) is the most common word for a school composition, often narrative or descriptive. 小論文 (shouronbun) is a more formal, argumentative essay, like those for exams. エッセイ (essay) is a loanword used for personal or literary essays, not typically for academic papers.
作曲 (sakkyoku) is only for composing music. Using it for writing an essay would be incorrect. Use 作文 or 執筆 (shippitsu) instead.
この薬の成分を教えてください。
Please tell me the ingredients of this medicine.
この建物の構造は複雑だ。
The structure of this building is complex.
Analyze the chemical composition of the rock.
A short thesis or essay, often for academic or entrance exam purposes. More formal than 作文.
大学入試のために小論文の練習をしている。
I am practicing writing short essays for the university entrance exam.
彼女は学校の雑誌にエッセイを投稿した。
She submitted an essay to the school magazine.
Loanword used in art and design contexts, similar to English "composition."
デザインのコンポジションを学ぶ。
Learn about design composition.