The present invention pertains to: a nematic liquid crystal composition that is useful as a liquid crystal display material and exhibits negative dielectric anisotropy (Δε); and a liquid crystal display element that uses the nematic liquid crystal composition. This liquid crystal composition has a viscosity (η) that is sufficiently small, a rotational viscosity (γ1) that is sufficiently small, an elastic constant (K33) that is large, and has a negative dielectric anisotropy (Δε) with a large absolute value, without reducing the refractive index anisotropy (Δn) and nematic phase-isotropic liquid phase transition temperature (Tni). Furthermore, the liquid crystal composition is capable of providing a liquid crystal display element that provides a high response speed and excellent display quality, and minimizes or eliminates display defects in vertical-alignment displays, and the like, in which the liquid crystal display element is used. The liquid crystal display element, which uses this liquid crystal composition, is useful for active matrix driven liquid crystal display elements, and can be used for liquid crystal display elements in vertical-alignment and polymer sustained vertical-alignment displays, and the like.