A II-VI group compound semiconductor light-emitting device can emit light of a short wavelength at room temperature. Operation characteristics, such as current--voltage characteristics and current--light output characteristics can be stabilized and a life of this semiconductor light-emitting device can be extended. The semiconductor light-emitting device comprises a substrate (1), at least a first cladding layer (2) of a first conductivity type, an active layer (3) and a second cladding layer (4) of a second conductivity type, wherein at least the active layer (3) is made of a II-VI group compound semiconductor and the active layer (3) is doped by either or both of n-type and p-type dopants.