Why is this consistently translated by the average person as meaning "F*ck you"?
Some people add "Me ne frega" or might throw "cavolo" in before frega if very angry. Which is translated directly as "It rubs of it" but is better translated as....
That's the problem.
Growing up to me it was always highly contextual.
If you were arguing it meant "Get lost, you're annoying me."
If you weren't arguing it meant "There isn't any."
If responding to a yes or no question it meant "No."
Usually said in a context of at least annoyance (not the last case), but it's not the equivalent of saying "F*ck off" or cursing someone out.
How come all Americans who seem to me...uncultured...translate every hand gesture as exceedingly vulgar?
Yiddish speakers would say "Luze zein shah" (Shut up) and take no offense.
Hell, Americans would say "Be quiet" or "Relax" without blinking or thinking anything of it.
Do Americans secretly hate Italian culture?