Mihi

Mihi is the dative singular form of the Latin personal pronoun ego, used to indicate the indirect object “to me” or “for me.” In Latin, the dative case marks the recipient or beneficiary of an action, and mihi is the standard form regardless of gender. The other common forms of ego are me (accusative and ablative), meī (genitive), and mihi (dative).

Usage in Latin syntax is broad. Mihi appears with verbs that take a dative object, such as placet “it pleases,” convenit “it is suitable,” and miscet “it seems to suit.” It also occurs in possession or existence constructions, for example liber mihi est meaning “I have a book” or “a book is to me.” In impersonal phrases, mihi can introduce a speaker’s judgment or impression, as in mihi videtur “it seems to me.”

Common expressions include:

- Mihi placet = It pleases me.

- Mihi est nomen = My name is … (literally, “the name is to me”).

- Liber mihi est = I have a book.

As a dative, mihi is distinguishable from me, the accusative and ablative form of ego, which are used for direct objects or with certain prepositions. Etymologically, mihi reflects the Indo-European dative system inherited by Latin, and it remains a standard form in classical and later Latin.

In modern usage, mihi is primarily encountered in Latin texts, language instruction, and scholarly or ceremonial quotes. It is translated into English as “to me” or “for me,” with the surrounding verb or construction determining the exact sense.