1.
deserted; quiet; empty of people
Describes a place that is unusually quiet or empty, lacking the bustle or activity one might expect.
平日の商店街は閑散としていた。
The shopping street was deserted on a weekday.
閉店セール後の店内は閑散としている。
The store interior is deserted after the closing sale.
台風の影響で観光地は閑散としていた。
The tourist spot was deserted due to the typhoon.
2.
slack; slow; inactive
Describes a period of low business activity, trading volume, or economic movement. Common in business and market reports.
今日の株式市場は閑散だった。
The stock market was slow today.
閑散期は旅行代が安くなる。
Travel costs go down during the off-season.
夏場は閑散とした商いが続き、売り上げが落ちる。
Slow business continues through summer, and sales decline.
Almost always used in the form 閑散としている. Conveys a sense of emptiness or quietness that is notable or unexpected.
SENSE 1 (deserted):
Describes places that should be busy but are not.
SENSE 2 (slack/slow):
Used in financial and business reporting for periods of low activity.
- 閑散期 (off-season; slack period)
- 閑散相場 (thin/quiet market)
Do not confuse with the homophone 換算 (conversion/calculation), which has a completely different meaning.