A nitride semiconductor element includes: a strain suppression layer formed on a silicon substrate via an initial layer; and an operation layer formed on the strain suppression layer. The strain suppression layer includes a first spacer layer, a second spacer layer formed on and in contact with the first spacer layer, and a superlattice layer formed on and in contact with the second spacer layer. The first spacer layer is larger in lattice constant than the second spacer layer. The superlattice layer has first layers and second layers smaller in lattice constant than the first layers stacked alternately on top of one another. The average lattice constant of the superlattice layer is smaller than the lattice constant of the first spacer layer and larger than the lattice constant of the second spacer layer.