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(a) Wie ist deine Adresse/Nummer?

(b) Was ist deine Adresse/Nummer?

I usually see version (a), rather than (b). Why is it that "wie" is used, even though the question corresponds to "what" rather than "how"? Is version (b) correct?

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    "Was" in german has not always the same semantic value of "which". The answer to "was ist deine Adresse?" can thus only be: "Meine Adresse ist eine Adresse" (or some longer definition of "Adresse").
    – persson
    Dec 28, 2014 at 17:26

1 Answer 1

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A lot of what-questions in English correspond to wie-questions in German.

What is your name? - Wie ist Ihr Name?

What is her hair like? - Wie ist ihre Haarfarbe?

et cetera.

Version b is not correct. It is English translated word for word into German.

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    Version b) is used a lot though.
    – Emanuel
    Dec 28, 2014 at 19:48
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    Habe ich noch nicht bemerkt.Vielleicht regional. Oder Einfluß des Englischen? Was sagt der Sprachatlas?
    – rogermue
    Dec 29, 2014 at 4:07
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    Version b) klingt für mich komisch. Ich glaube @rogermue hat recht.
    – Karl
    Dec 29, 2014 at 7:29

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