Is tachi disrespectful?


If there are only two people concerned but you say for example " John tachi
ga" does it imply the other person is less important? Shouldn't it be used for
a larger group of people?




If you know both of the two, then yes, somewhat. It's better to include both
and say ジョンと太郎 for example. Leaving one out invites the question why, it can
be taken as intentionally excluding that person. However, depending on the
situation, it can be reasonably explained otherwise and not taken as
disrespectful. If you know the name of only one of the two (and that is John),
then ジョンたち might be more acceptable. If John is the only shared friend of you
and the listener, it can be natural to focus on him by saying ジョンたち.

