Bringen vs. mitbringen
While both bringen and mitbringen can be translated as to bring, they are not interchangeable. The essential difference lies in the prefix mit-, which means with or along, adding a specific nuance that bringen lacks.
Bringen
A1bringen is the general and neutral verb for to bring. It focuses purely on the act of transporting something or someone to a destination. The person doing the bringing is not necessarily going to the destination to stay or participate; they might just be dropping something off.
Der Postbote bringt mir ein Paket.
(The mailman is bringing me a package.)
Ich muss die Bücher zurück in die Bibliothek bringen.
(I have to bring the books back to the library.)
Kannst du mich zum Bahnhof bringen?
(Can you bring me to the train station?)
Diese Nachricht wird ihm keine Freude bringen.
(This news will not bring him any joy.)
Bitte bring mir ein Glas Wasser.
(Please bring me a glass of water.)
Mitbringen
A2mitbringen means to bring along or to bring with oneself. It emphasizes that the subject is also going to the destination and is bringing something or someone with them, often for a social occasion or as a contribution.
Soll ich etwas zum Abendessen mitbringen?
(Should I bring something for dinner?)
Vergiss nicht, deine Badesachen mitzubringen.
(Don't forget to bring your swimwear along.)
Sie hat ihren neuen Freund zur Party mitgebracht.
(She brought her new boyfriend along to the party.)
Wenn du einkaufen gehst, kannst du bitte Milch mitbringen?
(When you go shopping, can you please bring milk with you?)
Er hat uns tolle Geschenke aus seinem Urlaub mitgebracht.
(He brought us great gifts from his vacation.)
Summary
In essence, use bringen for the general transport of items or people, similar to a delivery or a drop-off. Use mitbringen when you are personally going somewhere and bringing an item or a person along with you, often to contribute or to join in an event.