A nematic liquid crystal composition having negative dielectric anisotropy (Δε), and a liquid crystal device element including the liquid crystal composition. The liquid crystal composition has sufficiently low viscosity (η), sufficiently low rotational viscosity (γ1), a large elastic constant (K33), and a negative dielectric anisotropy (Δε) whose absolute value is large, without reducing the refractive index anisotropy (Δn) or the nematic-isotropic liquid phase transition temperature (Tni). A VA-mode liquid crystal display element including the liquid crystal composition, the liquid crystal display element having no or minimal display defects and having excellent display quality and a fast response. The liquid crystal display element including the liquid crystal composition is useful for an active matrix-addressed liquid crystal display element and used for, for example, a VA- or PSVA-mode liquid crystal display element.