A liquid crystal device includes a liquid crystal layer between a pair of substrates. One substrate includes pixel electrodes, an insulating layer and a common electrode having a plurality of slits. An electric field between the pixel and common electrodes turns liquid crystal molecules in a predetermined direction in regions corresponding to the slits. Each slit includes a first straight portion extending from a center of the pixel electrode toward both sides of the pixel electrode and second straight portions extending from the ends of the first straight portion to the outside of the pixel electrode. The first and second portions each form an acute angle with an initial orientation of the liquid crystal molecules in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction. The acute angle between the second portions and the initial orientation is larger than the acute angle between the first portion and the initial orientation.