How to say "composer" in Japanese

Choosing the right word

作曲家さっきょくかCommon
nounCovers 'composer' in the normal sense of a person who writes music, as a profession or role. This is the word you want for a classical, film, or song composer.
あなたの好すきな作曲家さっきょくかは誰だれですか。↗
Who is your favorite composer?
作者さくしゃJLPT N2approx.Common
nounMeans the creator, author, or artist behind a particular work, not a music-writing profession. For 'composer' it is only apt when referring to whoever created a given piece, and is usually not the word you want.
その小説しょうせつの作者さくしゃは誰だれでしょうか。↗
Who is the author of the novel?

Use 作曲家 when you mean someone who composes music; 作者 refers broadly to the creator or author of a work and only fits 'composer' when speaking of the maker of a specific piece.

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

Japanese equivalents

作曲家さっきょくかcomposer
作者さくしゃcreator (of a work)
コンポーザーcomposer
詠み人よみびとcomposer (of a poem)
作曲者さっきょくしゃcomposer
詠み手よみてwriter (of a poem)
読み手よみてcomposer (of a poem)

Say it right, write it right