閑散
Meanings
adverb taking the 'to' particle, na-adjective, noun
deserted; empty and quiet; hushed
Describes a place such as a street, shop, station, town, or lobby being quiet because few or no people are there. Very common in the pattern 閑散としている or 閑散とした.
On a weekday morning, the shopping street was deserted.
In the deserted airport lobby, only footsteps echoed.
slack; inactive; off-season; dull
Used for business, trade, markets, tourism, and similar activity being quiet or low-volume rather than physically deserted. 閑散期 is a common compound meaning an off-season or slow period.
After the New Year, the stock market was quiet, with little trading.
Winter is the slow season for this inn.
A less common use referring to a person or situation having no work or duties. Modern everyday Japanese more often uses 暇, 手が空いている, or 何もすることがない.
After retiring, he was unoccupied for a while.
Usage patterns
- 〈場所〉が閑散としているa place is deserted/empty and quiet
On weekday afternoons, this shopping street is deserted.
- 閑散とした〈場所〉a deserted, empty place
I walked alone through the deserted area in front of the station.
- 〈事〉が閑散としているan industry, trade, or market is slack/inactive
Due to the recession, the tourism industry is in a slump.