componer
verbCEFR B2
What does “componer” mean in English?
to compose
to compose (music, a text); also: to be composed of (estar compuesto de/por)
Example sentences
La banda sonora fue compuesta específicamente para la película y ganó varios premios internacionales.
The soundtrack was composed specifically for the film and won several international awards.
El comité está compuesto por representantes de todos los sectores afectados por la nueva normativa.
The committee is composed of representatives from all sectors affected by the new regulation.
El poeta compuso sus mejores obras durante el período de exilio, cuando vivía en la más absoluta soledad.
The poet composed his best works during the period of exile, when he was living in complete solitude.
How to use it
Componer means 'to compose' (music, a text, or a visual piece) or 'to make up / consist of'. The 'make up' sense is very common: 'el grupo está compuesto por diez miembros' (the group is composed of ten members). It is irregular: yo compongo (first-person), and the past participle is compuesto (also used as an adjective: una sustancia compuesta). Key B2 collocations: componer una melodía / una sinfonía, componer un discurso, estar compuesto de/por. Don't confuse with redactar (to draft/write a document — professional writing) or crear (more general creation).
Common mistake
The irregular yo form is compongo (not *compono) — the pattern is the same as poner: pongo, compongo, propongo, dispongo. The past participle compuesto is also the adjective for 'compound' or 'composite' (un tiempo compuesto — a compound tense in grammar). Also: estar compuesto de vs. estar compuesto por — both are acceptable; de emphasises material composition; por emphasises constituent parts.