A liquid-crystal composition which satisfies at least one of properties including a high upper-limit temperature for the nematic phase, low lower-limit temperature for the nematic phase, low viscosity, high optical anisotropy, negatively high permittivity anisotropy, high specific resistance, high stability to ultraviolet, and high stability to heat or has a proper balance between at least two of those properties. The liquid-crystal composition comprises a first ingredient comprising at least one compound selected among compounds represented by the formulae (1-1) and (1-2) and a second ingredient comprising at least one compound selected among compounds represented by the formula (2) and has negative permittivity anisotropy. For example, R1, R2, R3, and R4 each is C1-12 alkyl; Z1, Z2, and Z3 each is a single bond or —(CH2)2—; and ring A is 1,4-cyclohexylene or 1,4-phenylene.