From the contexts in which I have heard it used, and also according to
jisho.org, the word 連中{れんちゅう} appears to be a fairly informal word, on par
with the use of the word "lot" in British English as a collective noun ("you
lot"). However, it is unclear to me exactly what situations it would be okay
to use in, and exactly how impolite it is. Furthermore, it doesn't seem like
there is any one word that can be used to replace it in situations where it is
too impolite.

The circumstance I am thinking about is one in which a close group of friends
is talking to one of their member's older brother, in casual but polite
setting; the older brother refers to them collectively, remarking jocularly on
how difficult it is to hold a conversation with them because of their
inclination to 突っ込む.

  * > 「君たちはとんでもない連中に違いないです」= "You guys really are a formidable/difficult bunch"

In this context, would 連中 be too strong/impolite a word, or is it appropriate
for such a situation? If the former, is there a better way of saying this?

I know that the translation is not 100%, but I am translating from my own
words, so the intent is more important than literal accuracy.
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-07-27T20:18:29.727
51811
2017-09-24T01:31:51.197
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question
word-choice slang formality connotation
In what circumstances is it appropriate to use the word 連中
"連中" is a word addressing people of a certain group collectively **where the
talker doesn't belong** or **doesn't want to belong** with a somewhat
contemptuous feeling, although not necessarily.  
I think you can understand the nuance of the word with 連中 further if I tell
you how we feel when we are addressed by the word.

  * The first thing I feel is that those who use/say this word don't have an agreeable or acceptable impression of us.

  * I admit their understanding of us, not being agreeable for them, but I don't agree with the way they handle us collectively by ignoring each personality of us; At least I have a point I could proud of by myself, so don't handle/call me as one of the set of people. 

Examples:

  * あんな連中 _such bastards_
  * こういう連中 _these fellows_
  * そうそうたる連中 _a fine set of men_
  * 金持｛かねも｝ち連中 _rich guys_
  * 愉快｛ゆかい｝な連中 _a merry/jolly group_
  * 仲良｛なかよ｝し連中 _a party/bunch of good friends_
  * 悪｛わる｝い連中と交｛まじ｝わる _to keep contact with a bad lot_
  * 陽気｛ようき｝な連中と交｛まじ｝わる _to keep contact with a merry bunch_
  * あんな連中とつきあうな. _Don't mix with such a set._
  * 一体｛いったい｝あのいやな連中は何｛なに｝をやっているのか _What is that nasty bunch up to?_
  * あんな連中には我慢｛がまん｝がならない。 _I cannot abide such people._
  * あんな連中を見｛み｝るのは我慢｛がまん｝できない。 _I can't abide to see such fellows._
  * インテルの連中は君｛きみ｝を得｛え｝てラッキーだよ。 _The Intel people are lucky to have you!_
  * どうせ日本｛にほん｝文化｛ぶんか｝の粋｛すい｝などは連中には絶対｛ぜったい｝わかるまい。 _The essence of Japanese culture could never be appreciated by them._
  * トムは他｛ほか｝の連中よりはるかにすぐれてトップだ。 _Tom is head and shoulders above others._

On second thoughts, looking at these example phrases, I think that when people
are classified into two groups with a certain standard, 連中 is a word used in
the conversation with the people who seem to share the same values with you to
address the group of people where the talker does not belong, **apart from the
good or bad of the attribute of the group**.

Last but least, I clearly understand with what kind of nuances the word with
連中 is used in a context. But perhaps I've never used this word, because, I
think, it sounds indecent. So, I could say that it is the word you need not to
use by yourself.
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2017-07-28T12:29:06.340
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2017-07-28T13:14:30.203
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answer
> a close group of friends is talking to one of their member's older brother,
> in casual but polite setting; the _**older brother refers to them
> collectively, remarking jocularly**_ on how difficult it is to hold a
> conversation with them because of their inclination to 突っ込む.
>
> 「君たちはとんでもない連中に違いないです」= "You guys really are a formidable/difficult bunch"

In your context, the use of 連中 is _**correct for not being used for
superiors;**_ however, we probably don't use it to refer to the second person
plural, 君たち, but _**it's to refer to the third person plural** ;_ あの連中, この連中,
その連中. You could say **こいつら** 、とんでもない連中にちがいない face-to-face as if pretending to
talk to someone else, with possibly a warm tone.

連中 is standard enough, though not to be used for your superiors.

> れんちゅう【連中】（……）親しみ、あるいは軽蔑 (けいべつ)
> を込めていう。「クラスの連中を誘ってみる」「こういう連中は度し難い」（出典：[デジタル大辞泉](https://dictionary.goo.ne.jp/jn/235375/meaning/m0u/)）

To refer to a group of our superiors or people who we should pay respect,
あの方々{かたがた} or あの方{かた}たち is the standard. Casually あの人{ひと}たち.

* * *

連中 is a word that doesn't need to be used in formal writing, but is used in
literature or spoken language of, might be rather, grown-ups.

> "どうにでもなるような映画{えいが}会社{がいしゃ}の **連中** の言葉{ことば}だけの空虚{くうきょ}な自我{じが}や、"  
>
> (Wikipedia|白痴{はくち}(坂口{さかぐち}安吾{あんご})|[あらすじ](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E7%99%BD%E7%97%B4_\(%E5%9D%82%E5%8F%A3%E5%AE%89%E5%90%BE\)#.E3.81.82.E3.82.89.E3.81.99.E3.81.98))

/

> "弱虫{よわむし}で、子供の時から同年輩{どうねんぱい}のこの **連中** にいじめられ"  
>  （坂口安吾「明治開化{めいじかいか} 安吾{あんご}捕物帖{とりものちょう} 上{じょう}」1950）

/

> "だが若{わか}い **連中** は、自分{じぶん}と同年輩の者{もの}とつきあいたがる"  
>  （遠藤周作{えんどうしゅうさく}訳{やく}「愛{あい}の砂漠{さばく}／モーリアック」c.1965?）

/

> "しかし、その船{ふね}へ乗組{のりく}んでゐ(い)る **連中**
> は、中々{なかなか}勇{いさ}ましがつてゐる所{ところ}の騒ぎ{さわぎ}ではない。"  
>
> （[芥川龍之介{あくたがわりゅうのすけ}「虱{しらみ}」](http://www.aozora.gr.jp/cards/000879/files/148_15134.html)
> 1916）
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2017-07-28T14:24:21.257
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2017-08-03T04:41:26.053
2020-06-17T08:18:27.500
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answer