The Gang
Guys, Bunch, Company
noun
People you want to take along to the middle of somewhere are probably people you know pretty well. They're your gang, they're the guys.
This word often has a negative feel to it, though, as in "those guys can't be trusted" or "they're a selfish bunch".
This is a jukugo word, which usually means on'yomi readings from the kanji. As long as you know the readings for these kanji, you should be able to read this word just fine.
あの連中はいつもくだらない話ばかりしている。
Those guys always have nothing but stupid conversations.
よっぱらい連中には近づかない方がいいぜ。
You shouldn't get close to a bunch of drunks.
うちの息子は、最近悪い連中と付き合っているみたいで、少し心配です。
My son seems to be keeping the wrong company lately and I am a little worried.