was ist der

what is the

→ was
phrase Common #2,839
what is the Used to ask what something is or what its nature, cause, or advantage is; “der” is used with masculine nouns.
GE: Was ist der Unterschied?
EN: What is the difference?

Was ist der Anlass?

What is the occasion?

— Blade Runner 2049 (2017)

Was ist der Club der toten Dichter?

What is the Dead Poets Society?

— Der Club der toten Dichter (1989)

Was ist der Mindestlohn in den Vereinigten Staaten?

What is the minimum wage in the United States?

Was ist der Ursprung des Universums?

What is the origin of the universe?

Und was ist der Dinosaurier mit dem Syrakus-Modell?

And what about the dinosaur with the Syracuse model?

— Audition (2000)

Was ist der Anlaß?

What is the occasion?

— Don Juan DeMarco (1994)

Was ist der Mindestlohn in deinem Land?

What is the minimum wage in your country?

Was ist der wirkliche Grund, wieso Bill ihn bekommt?

What is the real reason why Bill gets it?

— Don Juan DeMarco (1994)

Was ist der Hintergrund deiner Frage?

What’s the context behind your question?

Was ist der Nachname deiner Mutter?

What is your mother’s last name?

Was ist der Vorteil dieser Technologie?

What is the advantage of this technology?