Probaj ovu kombinaciju.

Probaj is the imperative form of probati, meaning try!

More specifically:

• probati = to try
• probaj = try! when speaking to one person informally

So this sentence is giving a suggestion or command: Try this combination.

Related forms:

• Probaj! = informal singular
• Probajte! = formal singular or plural

Because the phrase is the direct object of the verb probaj, so it must be in the accusative case.

Dictionary form:

• ova kombinacija = this combination (nominative)

In this sentence:

• ovu kombinaciju = this combination (accusative)

Both words change because they are feminine singular and must agree with each other:

• ova → ovu
• kombinacija → kombinaciju

So:

• Probaj ovu kombinaciju. = Try this combination.

Kombinacija is a feminine noun.

In Croatian, demonstratives like ovaj / ova / ovo must agree with the noun in:

• gender
• number
• case

Since kombinacija is:

• feminine
• singular
• accusative in this sentence

the matching form of this is ovu.

So the pair is:

• nominative: ova kombinacija
• accusative: ovu kombinaciju

Probaj is informal singular. You use it when speaking to:

• one friend
• a child
• someone you address with ti

If you want to be more polite or if you are speaking to more than one person, use:

• Probajte ovu kombinaciju.

So:

• Probaj = informal, one person
• Probajte = formal one person or plural

Kombinacija literally means combination, but in real Croatian it can be used in several contexts, such as:

• a mix of foods or flavors
• a clothing/outfit combination
• a choice of items
• a strategy or arrangement

So the exact meaning depends on context. In natural speech, Probaj ovu kombinaciju could mean:

• try this outfit combination
• try this food combination
• try this mix of ingredients
• try this option/setup

You might hear it, but probaj is usually the more natural choice here.

The difference is roughly:

• probati = to try something out, taste it, test it, give it a go
• pokušati = to attempt to do something

So:

• Probaj ovu kombinaciju sounds natural for trying a mix, option, or outfit.
• Pokušaj ovu kombinaciju sounds less idiomatic in many everyday contexts.

Another useful verb is:

• isprobati = to try out / test out

For example:

• Isprobaj ovu kombinaciju. = Try out this combination.

No, Croatian word order is fairly flexible, but Probaj ovu kombinaciju is the most neutral and natural order.

Why this order works well:

• the imperative verb probaj comes first
• then the object ovu kombinaciju

Other word orders are possible, but they usually add emphasis or sound less neutral:

• Ovu kombinaciju probaj. = puts more emphasis on this combination
• Ovu probaj kombinaciju. = generally unnatural

So for learners, Probaj ovu kombinaciju is the safest and most standard version.

A rough English-friendly guide is:

• probaj ≈ PRO-bye
• ovu ≈ OH-voo
• kombinaciju ≈ kom-bee-NA-tsee-yoo

A few helpful pronunciation notes:

• Croatian j is pronounced like English y
• c is pronounced like ts
• vowels are usually clear and consistent

So probaj sounds like pro-bay only if you say the final j as y; the closer approximation is pro-bye.

Probati is generally treated as a perfective verb. In this sentence, that fits well because the speaker means try it once or give it a try.

With imperatives, perfective verbs are very common when you want a single complete action:

• Probaj ovu kombinaciju. = try this combination

In everyday learning, the most important thing is just to recognize that:

• probaj is the normal imperative form
• it sounds natural for a one-time suggestion

You do not need to master aspect immediately to use this sentence correctly.