Difference between "mitbringen" and "mitnehmen"

Can someone please explain to me when it's best to use "mitnehmen" and when "mitbringen"? I often confuse the two

In (at least American English) I really could say either. For instance today I asked my colleague if I could take the laptop with me to London. I said "mitbringen" and she corrected me. I guess I get confused because in English I could also say, "can I bring that with me to London?" Maybe I need an English lesson too.

Would appreciate your help.

Thanks,
Moi

It's the same in German as in English, as far as I'm aware – so yes, you need an English lesson! It's all about direction. If you were already in London, you would say "Can I bring my laptop with me [when I come back next week]?" If you're in Munich, however, then you take the laptop with you to London.

You're not alone with your confusion though, my kids always get bring and take mixed up when they're speaking English. Of course you're also American, so you can't be expected to speak proper English like what I does!

Wouldn't both be "take"? It's from your point of reference, not necessarily where you live.. I know that generally bring is used when the object is coming toward the point of reference and take is used when going from the point of reference.. in your case bring would only make sense if my colleague called and said "make sure to bring your laptop back with you", i.e., back to her point of reference.

I think in German, it depends on who is moving in which direction: If you are going to meet the person you are talking to, you use "mitbringen". For instance, you are invited to a party at someone's home and ask the host "Was kann ich mitbringen?"

When you are moving in the same direction, so to say, as the person you are talking to, you say for example: "Soll ich einen Regenschirm mitnehmen?"

But I easily get confused in English.

EDIT: I looked it up in a dictionary and found a difference: "I didn't bring my keys with me" – "Ich habe meine Schlüssel nicht mitgenommen" It's not possible to use "mitbringen" in this case.

Or ich habe meine Sclüssel nicht mitgebracht.Mitbringen is basically can i bring summat.Mitnehmen you use in the tence can i take something

@moi
yep, I would certainly agree with that, tja yanks (shakes his head!)

@ MD - Duh: Ich habe den Schlüssel vergessen.
No one in his/her right mind would use either mitnehmen or mitbringen in that context!
I agree with the direction theory:
"Soll ich meinen Laptop mitnehmen?" is before departure. = Should I take my laptop along?
"Ich habe meinen Laptop mitgebracht!" is after landing. = I brought my laptop along!
"Bring deinen Laptop mit!" she says when calling me from London. = Bring your laptop along!
"Nimm deinen Laptop mit!" my wife reminds me before departing. = Don't forget to take your laptop!