A liquid crystal composition having a negative dielectric anisotropy and containing at least one compound represented by formula (1), at least one compound represented by formula (2), at least one compound represented by formula (4), at least one compound represented by formula (5), and at least one compound represented by formula (6), and the composition essentially consisting of these components: ##STR00001## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 is, for example, alkyl; A.sup.1, A.sup.2 and A.sup.3 is, for example, 1,4-phenylene; Z.sup.1 is a single bond, --CH.sub.2O-- or --COO--; and Z.sup.2 is a single bond or --COO--.