German Phrase
In letzter Zeit stehe ich total aufs Wandern.
Meaning
Lately I’ve become completely hooked on hiking. The speaker is emphasizing a recent shift in hobby or pastime, using a casual, upbeat tone.
When to use
Use this sentence when you want to tell friends, family, or a language partner about a new or growing interest in hiking, especially in informal conversation or a language‑learning setting.
✦Grammar Breakdown
InletzterZeitsteheichtotalaufsWandern
In letzter Zeit
A fixed time expression meaning “lately” or “recently”. It uses the dative case after the preposition “in”.
stehen … auf
Colloquial idiom meaning “to be into / to like”. The verb “stehen” is followed by the preposition “auf” + accusative.
total
Informal intensifier equivalent to “totally” or “really”. Often placed before the object of the idiom.
aufs
Contraction of “auf das”. Used here because “auf” governs the accusative and the noun is neuter.
Wandern
A nominalized verb (gerund) meaning “hiking”. As a noun it is capitalised and takes the neuter article “das”.
🗨In Conversation
Was hast du am Wochenende vor?
What are you planning for the weekend?
In letzter Zeit stehe ich total aufs Wandern.
Lately I’m really into hiking.
✕Common Mistakes
In letzter Zeit stehe ich total auf das Wandern.
The idiom normally contracts to “aufs”. Using the full form isn’t wrong, but sounds stiff in casual speech.
In letzter Zeit stehe ich total auf Wandern.
Learners often forget the article and say “aufs Wandern” without the neuter article “das”. The correct contraction is “aufs”.
In letzter Zeit total stehe ich aufs Wandern.
Placing “total” after the verb (e.g., “stehe total ich …”) breaks German word order.
↔Alternatives
In letzter Zeit gehe ich viel wandern.
These days I go hiking a lot.
Ich habe in letzter Zeit das Wandern für mich entdeckt.
I’ve recently discovered hiking for myself.
Seit kurzem stehe ich total aufs Wandern.
Since recently I’m totally into hiking.
Cultural Tip
Hiking (Wandern) is a beloved pastime in German‑speaking countries, especially in the Alps, the Black Forest and the Harz. It’s common to talk about “Wandern” rather than “Spazierengehen” when you mean a longer trek in nature. The word “total” is informal; in a formal setting you might replace it with “sehr”.