"Pois é" is an interjection and its translation depends pretty much on context. Basically it expresses confirmation or resignation, If you had given examples in sentences, it would be have been easier to understand your doubts. In pt-BR you're likely to find it in sentences such as:
- (a) "Não se pode mais fazer bater nos filhos?" (b) "Pois é, agora as coisas mudaram." (That's it, that's true, yes)
- "Pois é, conforme eu havia dito..." (you see, exactly - depending on what has been said before)
- (a) "Que droga de tempo. Chuva o tempo todo." (b) "Pois é". (agreed, exactly)
- (a) "Você está dizendo que ele morreu?" (b) "Pois é, morreu ontem". (exactly, yes,)
As I've said before, "pois é" is an interjection that expresses confirmation or resignation. More frequently it can be translated into English as "yes", "agreed", "exactly", "it's true", "you're right". Remember that interjections are unique in that more often than not you can hardly find a perfect translation.
NB
- "pois", "pois é", "ora pois", "ora pois pois" are used much more frequently in pt-PT than in pt-BR and sometimes with different meanings. 2. Don't confuse "pois é" (interjection) with "pois é" (two words meaning "porque é". Example: O empreendedorismo é essencial nas sociedades, pois é através dele que as empresas buscam a inovação.