An optically active liquid crystal compound which is represented by the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 each represents an alkyl or aralkyl group of 4-18 carbon atoms, R.sub.3 represents a haloalkyl group, X represents O, COO, OCO, CO or a single bond, Y represents COO, OCO, CH.sub.2 O or OCH.sub.2, Z represents COO or O, (A) represents a cyclic group shown by ##STR2## (B) represents a cyclic group shown by ##STR3## and l shows that the cyclic groups are substituted by at least one halogen atom.