Learn Hardcore Korean: jigeum chekeu-ineul hago isseoyo.

지금 literally means now or at this moment. It’s an adverb of time placed before the verb (or clause) to indicate that the action is happening right now. In 지금 체크인을 하고 있어요, it tells us that the speaker is in the process of checking in at this very moment.

Why is 체크인 written in Hangul instead of in English?

체크인 is a loanword borrowed from English check-in. Korean often imports English terms but writes them in Hangul to fit Korean pronunciation rules. Even though it looks “foreign,” it’s treated like a regular Korean noun.

What is the function of the particle -을 in 체크인을?

The particle -을 marks the direct object of the verb. Here 체크인 (the noun) becomes 체크인을, showing that it’s what’s being done—in other words, “(the) check-in” is the thing the speaker is performing.

What does -고 있어요 mean in this sentence?

-고 있어요 attaches to a verb stem to form the present progressive (continuous) tense: “to be doing something.” Grammatically:
• Verb stem + 고 + 있다 → “is/are doing”
So 하고 있어요 means “am/is/are doing.” Combined with 체크인을, it says “(I) am checking in.”

Why not just say 체크인해요?

체크인해요 comes from the verb 체크인하다 in its simple present tense (“I check in”). It indicates a habitual or general action. To emphasize that the action is ongoing right now, you use the progressive form 체크인을 하고 있어요.

• 체크인해요 → “I check in” (habitually or as a general statement)
• 체크인을 하고 있어요 → “I am checking in” (right now)

What’s the subject of this sentence, and why is it omitted?

The implied subject is 저 (“I”), as in (저는) 지금 체크인을 하고 있어요. In Korean, when the subject is clear from context, it’s common to drop it. Here, the situation (at the reception desk, saying “I’m checking in”) makes I obvious.

Could I also say 체크인하는 중이에요 instead?

Yes. 체크인하는 중이에요 uses the expression -는 중이다, another way to express “in the middle of doing” something. It’s essentially equivalent in meaning:
• 지금 체크인을 하고 있어요
• 체크인하는 중이에요
Both mean “I’m checking in (right now).”

What level of politeness is -고 있어요 ending in -요?

The ending -요 makes the sentence polite but not overly formal—what Koreans call “polite informal” or “해요체.” You’d use this with strangers, in customer service, or with people you’re not close to, while still sounding polite.

How do you pronounce 지금 체크인을 하고 있어요?

In standard romanization it’s:
ji-geum che-keu-in-eul ha-go i-sseo-yo
Spoken more fluidly you’ll hear:
[지금 체크인 헐고 있어요] → “ji-geum chek-in halko i-sseo-yo.”