# Termbase

Source: https://traduq.com/glossary/termbase · Updated October 14, 2026

A **termbase** is a terminology database in which each entry holds one concept with its approved terms in several languages, plus optional definitions, notes and forbidden variants, so that every translator on a project uses the same words.

## What goes into an entry

A termbase is organised by concept, not by word. The entry for one concept can hold:

- the term in each language, with synonyms where they are allowed,
- a status, such as preferred, allowed or forbidden,
- a definition, the subject field, a usage note or an example sentence,
- grammatical details, such as part of speech or gender.

A simple glossary (a two-column list of source and target terms) is the lightest form of termbase, and many clients send exactly that as a spreadsheet.

## Termbase or translation memory?

A [translation memory](https://traduq.com/glossary/translation-memory) stores whole sentences and their translations, and suggests them when similar sentences come back. A termbase stores single terms and phrases, and the [CAT tool](https://traduq.com/glossary/cat-tool) shows the approved translation whenever the term appears in a segment, whatever the rest of the sentence says. Most projects use both.

## Formats

Each CAT tool keeps its termbases in its own format: Trados uses MultiTerm (.sdltb), and memoQ has its own termbases. The standard exchange format is TBX (TermBase eXchange, ISO 30042), and most tools also import and export CSV or Excel. Our post on [XLIFF, TMX and TBX](https://traduq.com/blog/xliff-tmx-tbx-formats-explained) compares the formats.

## Example

A medical device client's termbase says that "device" must be translated as "dispositivo" in Spanish, and that "aparato" is forbidden. While translating, the CAT tool shows "dispositivo" next to every segment that contains "device". Before delivery, a terminology check flags any segment where "device" was translated some other way.

You can run that check without a CAT tool: TraduQ's free [QA checker](https://traduq.com/tools/qa-checker) imports a glossary from CSV or Excel, including forbidden terms, and checks XLIFF, SDLXLIFF, MQXLIFF and TMX files against it in your browser. The [QA checking guide](https://traduq.com/blog/qa-check-xliff-files) shows how.

## Try it

- [Translation QA checker](https://traduq.com/tools/qa-checker) — Check numbers, tags, spaces and consistency in bilingual files.

## Related terms

- [Translation memory](https://traduq.com/glossary/translation-memory)
- [CAT tool](https://traduq.com/glossary/cat-tool)
- [XLIFF](https://traduq.com/glossary/xliff)

## Related guides

- [memoQ vs Smartcat vs Wordfast for a Small Agency (2026)](https://traduq.com/blog/memoq-vs-smartcat-vs-wordfast) — memoQ, Smartcat or Wordfast for a small translation agency? 2026 prices, team costs, shared TMs, Trados file support and which fits your agency.
- [Best Trados Alternatives in 2026 for Freelance Translators](https://traduq.com/blog/trados-alternatives) — Trados Studio alternatives for freelancers in 2026: memoQ, Wordfast Pro, Phrase TMS, CafeTran, OmegaT and MateCat on price, Mac and Trados files.
- [Wordfast vs Trados Studio (2026): Price, Features, Mac](https://traduq.com/blog/wordfast-vs-trados) — Wordfast Pro or Trados Studio? 2026 prices, three-year cost, Mac and Linux support, Trados packages, TM features and which to pick.