TBX – The International Standard for Terminology Exchange

Illustration: TBX – ISO 30042 as the exchange standard for terminology data — TBX as an exchange standard: clearly structured and system-independent – **to be on good terms**.

TBX is the most important international exchange format for terminology data. It ensures that terms, definitions, context information, and language-specific details can be transferred reliably and across systems. As an XML-based ISO standard, TBX provides a clear, structured foundation for professional terminology work — independent of tools, platforms, or vendors.

Why a standard format like TBX is essential

Companies use various software solutions: content management systems, CAT tools, translation platforms, PIM systems, or knowledge databases. Without a standard exchange format, inconsistencies, redundant data maintenance, or information loss become likely. TBX solves this by making terminology data available in a standardized, machine-readable structure.

What is TBX?

TBX (TermBase eXchange) is a standardized XML format for describing and exchanging terminology data. The corresponding standard, ISO 30042, defines structure, elements, and data categories. It follows the concept-oriented approach of ISO 704 and ISO 1087.

The central element is the concept, which holds all terms, definitions, and metadata.

The structure of TBX

<tbx>: root element
<body>: contains all terminology entries
<termEntry>: represents a concept
<langSet>: language-specific section, e.g. de-DE or en-US
<tig>: Term Information Group (term data)

A typical example:

<termEntry id="concept_001">
  <langSet xml:lang="de-DE">
    <tig>
      <term>Laserleistung</term>
      <note type="definition">Die optische Ausgangsleistung eines Lasers.</note>
    </tig>
  </langSet>

  <langSet xml:lang="en-US">
    <tig>
      <term>laser output power</term>
      <note type="definition">The emitted optical power of a laser.</note>
    </tig>
  </langSet>
</termEntry>

What information TBX can represent

TBX supports a broad range of terminological elements:

Terms and synonyms
Definitions and sources
Context and usage examples
Status (preferred, admitted, deprecated)
Grammatical data
Domains and categories
Concept relations
Change notes and version history

TBX in the context of quality, standards, and compliance

In regulated industries — medical technology, mechanical engineering, automotive — standardized structures are essential. TBX ensures that terminology data remains traceable, auditable, and consistent across systems. It also simplifies data exchange with external translation service providers and suppliers.

Variants and profiles of TBX

TBX-Basic: simplified structure
TBX-Min: minimal structure for essential exchange
TBX-Full: complete set of all elements
Domain-specific profiles: tailored to industry needs

Practical example

A global company synchronizes its terminology between CAT tools, CMS systems, and translation platforms. Using TBX helped reduce duplicates, unify definitions, and significantly lower translation errors.

How companies benefit from TBX

Consistent data exchange between systems
Fewer errors in translation and documentation
Reduced maintenance effort
Long-term stability
Better international collaboration

Conclusion

TBX is a key component of modern terminology management. As an international standard, it enables interoperability, clarity, and long-term consistency. For companies working in multiple languages, TBX is indispensable.

Notes from practice

"Thanks to TBX, we were able to transfer our data between tools without losses."

"Translation processes became noticeably more efficient."

← Back to homepage