Learn Hardcore Korean: jigeum noraereul deutgo isseoyo.

Time adverbs like 지금 often go at the beginning of the sentence or just before the verb. Both are correct: • 지금 노래를 듣고 있어요.
• 노래를 지금 듣고 있어요.
Putting 지금 first is more natural when you want to emphasize when something happens.

Why is 노래 followed by 를?

를 is the object marker. Since 듣다 (“to listen”) is a transitive verb, the thing being listened to (노래, “song”) must take 를. In informal speech you can drop 를 if context is clear: • 지금 노래 듣고 있어요.
But in writing or to avoid ambiguity, include 를.

Why is the verb form 듣고 있어요 instead of 들어요?

듣고 있어요 expresses the present progressive (“I am listening”). It’s formed by:

Verb stem: 듣-
Connective: -고
있다 in polite form: 있어요
So 듣 + 고 + 있어요 = 듣고 있어요.
In contrast, 들어요 is the simple present (“I listen” or “I will listen”).

Why is it 듣고 있어요 and not 들고 있어요?

듣다 is a ㄷ-irregular verb, but the irregular change ㄷ → ㄹ only applies before vowel endings ㅏ/ㅓ (like -아요/-어요). The connective -고 uses the vowel ㅗ, which does not trigger the change, so the stem stays 듣:
• 듣 + 고 → 듣고

Why is there no subject in the sentence?

Korean often omits subjects when they’re clear from context. Here, 저 (“I”) is understood. If you want to be explicit or emphasize the subject, you can say:
• 저는 지금 노래를 듣고 있어요.

What’s the difference between 노래 and 음악?

노래 refers to a song (usually with lyrics or singing), while 음악 means music in general.
• 지금 노래를 듣고 있어요. (“I’m listening to a song now.”)
• 지금 음악을 듣고 있어요. (“I’m listening to music now.”)

Can I change the formality level in 듣고 있어요?

Yes. -고 있어요 is informal polite. To be more formal or for written contexts, use -고 있습니다:
• 지금 노래를 듣고 있습니다.
Both mean “I am listening to a song now,” but -고 있습니다 sounds more formal.