A liquid crystal composition having a nematic phase and containing at least one compound selected from a group of compounds represented by formula (1) as a first component and at least one compound selected from a group of compounds represented by formula (2-1) or (2-2) as a second component: ##STR00001## wherein R.sup.1 is alkyl or alkenyl; R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are independently; Z.sup.1 and Z.sup.2 are independently a single bond or ethylene; Y.sup.1 is fluorine or chlorine; and X.sup.1 and X.sup.2 are independently hydrogen or fluorine.