Breakdown of У пациента была высокая температура, значит, это инфекция.
это
this / it is
высокий
tall / high (of a level or amount)
у
at, by
быть
to be
Questions & Answers about У пациента была высокая температура, значит, это инфекция.
Doesn't значит normally translate to "means"? How is it working as "so" here?
As a verb, значит translates to "means" (from the verb значить). However, when used as a discourse marker linking two clauses, it acts as a logical bridge meaning "so," "therefore," or "consequently." Here, it introduces a deduction drawn from the first part of the sentence: because there was a fever, therefore it's an infection.
Why is значит surrounded by commas in this sentence?
When значит functions as an introductory word (a discourse marker of conclusion) rather than a regular verb, Russian punctuation rules require it to be set off by commas. It behaves like a parenthetical word, similar to how we might use commas around "therefore" in English.
Could I use следовательно instead of значит here?
Yes, следовательно would also work and means "consequently" or "therefore." The difference is mainly stylistic: значит is very common in everyday, conversational speech, while следовательно sounds more formal, scientific, or academic. A doctor talking to a colleague might use either, but следовательно would be preferred in a written medical report.
Why does the verb была agree with температура instead of the patient?