A projection lens system of the present invention projects projection light from a light modulator onto a screen and includes a first lens group disposed closest to the screen, the first lens group including a first meniscus lens with negative refractive power that is positioned closest to the screen and is convex on a screen side, a cemented lens that is positioned on a light modulator side, and a means for bending an optical path between the first meniscus lens and the cemented lens. The means for bending the optical path is disposed between the negative meniscus lens and the cemented lens of the first lens group. Since the cemented lens of the first lens group is disposed in line with the lenses in the second lens group, the lens system of this invention is produced with a slim overall construction even if the cemented lens is in the first lens group.