A pixel electrode is located in a pixel area defined by the intersections of the two adjacent gate lines and the two adjacent data lines, and has two linear openings extending in the transverse direction, which divide the pixel electrodes into three rectangular portions arranged in the longitudinal direction. The portions are connected in turn, and each portion of the pixel electrode has an X-shaped projection formed by the X-shaped member thereunder, and portions of the gate insulating film and the passivation film on the member. Since the gate insulating film and the passivation film are also located on the gate lines and the data lines, and the layered structure on the wires acts as peripheral projections of the pixel electrode. Each area enclosed by the projections, the openings and the peripheral projections is in a shape of equilateral trapezoid. The areas may be defined as the areas where the pixel electrode is in direct contact with the substrate. That is, each area has a planar shape of triangle, of which corner at the center of X-shape is chamfered. This structure causes a splay arrangement or a bend arrangement of the liquid crystal molecules in each domain, which is defined as a portion of the liquid crystal layer over each divided area, to be reinforced to improve the response time.
A liquid crystal display device comprises a first substrate and a second substrate facing each other and maintaining a predetermined cell gap, liquid crystals sealed between the substrates, and a pixel electrode formed on the first substrate on the side facing the liquid crystals. A common electrode is formed on the second substrate on the side facing the liquid crystals. First slits are formed in the pixel electrode, and second slits are formed in the common electrode. The second slits extend in a direction nearly at right angles with the direction in which the first slits extend, as viewed in a direction perpendicular to the substrate surface.
