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 formula (1), and the second component is at least one compound selected from the group of compounds represented by formula (2): ##STR00001## wherein R.sup.1 is alkyl having 1 to 12 carbons, alkoxy having 1 to 12 carbons or alkenyl having 2 to 12 carbons; R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are each independently alkyl having 1 to 12 carbons, alkoxy having 1 to 12 carbons, alkenyl having 2 to 12 carbons or alkenyl having 2 to 12 carbons in which arbitrary hydrogen is replaced by fluorine; ring A and ring B are each independently 1,4-cyclohexylene, 1,3-dioxan-2,5-diyl, 1,4-phenylene, 3-fluoro-1,4-phenylene, 3,5-difluoro-1,4-phenylene or 2,5-pyrimidine; Z.sup.1 is a single bond, ethylene, carbonyloxy or difluoromethyleneoxy; X.sup.1 and X.sup.2 are each independently hydrogen or fluorine; and p is 0, 1 or 2.