A ferrielectric liquid crystal compound of the general formula (1), ##STR1## wherein R is a linear alkyl group having 6 to 12 carbon atoms, either each of X and Y is a hydrogen atom or one of X and Y is a hydrogen atom and the other is a fluorine atom, m is an integer of 1 to 2, n is 1 and C* is an asymmetric carbon. The above liquid crystal compound shows a ferrielectric phase in a wide temperature range and exhibits a fast response in spite of its small spontaneous polarization, and it is therefore remarkably useful for an active-matrix liquid crystal display device.
