"mich" vs "mir" in German?

Question

In German, I hear them use mich and mir for me. Does there have to be a certain context or does it not matter which one you use?
Help, please! :-)

Answer 1

Mich is the Akkusativ, mir the Dativ. These translate somewhat to direct object and indirect object in English.

She gives me the book (me is the indirect object, book is the direct object)
Sie gibt mir das Buch (I think)

She sees me (me is the direct object)
Sie sieht mich.

But in English we don't normally think of there being an indirect object if there isn't also a direct object [though the point is moot since the two forms are identical], whereas in German there are a lot of verbs that take only the Dativ (helfen is the only one that comes to mind though).

There are also certain prepositions that always go with Akkusativ (e.g., für and gegen, I'm almost postive), some that always go with Dativ (e.g., zu and mit) and some that go with one or the other, depending on whether it's in motion or not (I don't get that part really but if you check out my Questions I have one about that with a good Best Answer). (e.g. an, auf I think)

Answer 2

Mir German