Here's how to understand that:

* La represents the element Lanthanum, which is a metal in the lanthanide series.

* N represents the element Nitrogen, which is a nonmetal.

* In ionic compounds, metals lose electrons to become positive ions (cations), while nonmetals gain electrons to become negative ions (anions).

* Lanthanum typically forms a +3 ion (La³⁺) and Nitrogen typically forms a -3 ion (N³⁻).

* The charges balance out in the formula LaN, indicating a neutral compound.