Learn Hardcore Korean: jeoneun gonghang kaunteo-eseo chekeu-ineul haeyo.

저 means “I.” The particle 는 is the topic marker, so 저는 literally means “As for me….” 제가 uses the subject marker 가, which often emphasizes or introduces a new subject. In neutral statements about yourself, Koreans typically use 저는 to set ‘I’ as the topic.

Why is 에서 used after 공항 카운터 instead of 에?

에서 marks the location where an action happens (“at the airport counter”). In contrast, 에 marks a static location (“in/at”) or a destination (“to the airport counter”). Since 체크인을 해요 is an action, you use 에서.

Why do we add 을 after 체크인?

체크인 is a noun (a loanword). To make it the direct object of the verb 하다, you attach the object particle 을 (or 를 after a vowel). Thus, 체크인을 tells us “the check-in” is what you’re doing.

Why is 체크인 followed by 하다? Isn’t 체크인 already a verb?

In Korean, many nouns—especially loanwords—become verbs when you add 하다 (“to do”). So 체크인하다 is the full verb “to check in.” In polite speech, it’s very common to split it into the noun + 해요, giving 체크인을 해요.

What’s the word order here, and how does it compare to English?

Korean is Subject-(Adverbial/Location)-Object-Verb (S-A-O-V). English is typically Subject-Verb-Object (S-V-O). In our sentence:
• 저는 (Subject/topic)
• 공항 카운터에서 (Location phrase)
• 체크인을 (Object)
• 해요 (Verb)

Could I use a fully Korean expression instead of 체크인?

Yes. A more formal Korean term is 탑승 수속 (“boarding procedure”), so you could say 저는 공항 카운터에서 탑승 수속을 해요. However, in everyday and spoken Korean—especially around travel—체크인 is very common.

Can I omit 저는 if it’s clear who’s doing the action?

Absolutely. Korean often drops the topic if context is obvious. You can simply say 공항 카운터에서 체크인을 해요, and people will understand “I check in at the airport counter.” Including 저는 just adds clarity or emphasis on “I.”