Nitrogen itself is neither a cation nor an anion; it is a neutral element in its most common form. However, when it forms compounds, it can exhibit behavior similar to both.
A cation is a positively charged ion, while an anion is a negatively charged ion. Nitrogen, with the atomic number 7, has five electrons in its outer shell and typically needs three more to achieve a full valence shell. When nitrogen gains three electrons, it becomes an anion known as nitride (N3-).
On the other hand, in certain compounds, nitrogen can share or even lose electrons, showing some cation-like behavior, but it is more often found in its anionic form when combined with metals or in ionic compounds.