Learn Italian: Pensi che lo spettacolo vada bene stasera? - Do you think the show will go well tonight?

The phrase Pensi che (Do you think that) expresses an opinion or a level of uncertainty. In Italian, expressing your personal thoughts or doubts about an action triggers the subjunctive mood for the second verb.

Wait, vada comes from the verb andare (to go)? How do I form its present subjunctive?

Andare is highly irregular. In the present subjunctive, the singular forms for io, tu, and lui/lei are all identical: vada. The plural forms are andiamo (noi), andiate (voi), and vadano (loro).

The English translation uses the future tense 'will go'. Why does Italian use the present subjunctive here?

Italian does not have a specific future subjunctive tense. To express an opinion or doubt about a future event (like a show happening stasera), you simply use the present subjunctive.

Is andare bene a set phrase?

Yes, just like in English, andare bene literally translates to 'to go well.' You use it to describe an event, situation, or plan succeeding without any problems.