A liquid crystal composition having a nematic phase that includes two components, wherein the first component is at least one compound selected from the group of compounds represented by formulas (1-1) and (1-2), and the second component is at least one compound selected from the group of compounds having a group represented by formulas (2-1) and (2-2): ##STR00001## wherein R.sup.1 is alkyl having 1 to 12 carbons; Z.sup.1 and Z.sup.2 are each independently a single bond or ethylene; X.sup.1 is independently fluorine, chlorine, OCF.sub.3 or OCF.sub.2H; Y.sup.1 is independently hydrogen or fluorine; and n is independently 1 or 2.