Obojica traže trag.

Obojica means both of them when talking about two male people. It often works on its own, without repeating the noun.

So:

• Obojica traže trag. = Both of them are looking for a trace/clue.
• You do not need to say obojica muškarca here.

It is a very common way to refer to both men / both boys / both male people already understood from context.

Both words relate to both, but they are used a little differently.

• oba is often used directly with a noun: oba muškarca = both men
• obojica is especially common for people, and it can stand alone: obojica = both of them

So this sentence uses obojica because the noun is not stated; it is simply understood.

Compare:

• Oba muškarca traže trag.
• Obojica traže trag.

Both are possible, but the second one is more compact and very natural.

That is a very common learner question. Here, obojica is a special masculine human form, and its -a ending does not mean feminine.

In Croatian, some words referring to groups of male people have endings that may look surprising to English speakers. You have to learn obojica as a whole form meaning both males / both men / both of them.

So in this sentence:

• obojica = subject
• it refers to two male people
• the -a ending is just part of this word's normal form

Traže is the 3rd person plural present tense of the verb tražiti = to look for / to seek / to search for.

So:

• ja tražim = I look for / I am looking for
• ti tražiš = you look for
• on/ona traži = he/she looks for
• oni traže = they look for

Because obojica refers to two people, the verb is plural: traže.

It can mean either one, depending on context.

Croatian present tense often covers both:

• they look for
• they are looking for

So Obojica traže trag. could be understood as:

• Both are looking for a trace
• Both look for a trace

In many situations, English prefers are looking for, but Croatian does not need a separate continuous form here.

Trag is in the accusative singular, because it is the direct object of traže.

The reason it looks the same as the dictionary form is that trag is a masculine inanimate noun, and for many masculine inanimate nouns in Croatian:

• nominative singular = accusative singular

So:

• nominative: trag
• accusative: trag

That is why the form does not visibly change in this sentence.

Because Croatian has no articles.

English says:

• a trace
• the trace

Croatian simply says:

• trag

The exact English translation depends on context. So trag here could be translated as:

• a trace
• the trace
• a clue
• the clue

depending on the situation.

Not always. Trag has a wider meaning than just a literal track on the ground.

Depending on context, it can mean:

• trace
• track
• trail
• clue
• sign
• sometimes even scent or evidence of someone/something

So in a detective or mystery context, traže trag may sound like they are looking for a clue/trace. In a hunting or outdoor context, it may sound more like they are looking for a track/trail.

No, Croatian word order is relatively flexible.

This sentence has a neutral, straightforward order:

• subject + verb + object
• Obojica traže trag.

But Croatian can move words around for emphasis, style, or focus. For example, other orders may be possible in context, such as:

• Trag traže obojica.
• Obojica trag traže.

These do not necessarily change the basic meaning, but they can change what sounds emphasized. The version you were given is the most neutral and natural for a simple statement.

Normally, obojica is used for two male people.

For other combinations, Croatian usually uses different forms:

• obje = both for two feminine nouns / two women
• oboje = often used for a mixed pair or in some other contexts

So a learner should usually remember:

• obojica → two males
• obje → two females
• oboje → mixed pair / other contexts

In this sentence, obojica strongly suggests that the two people are male.

The basic verb is tražiti, which is imperfective.

That means it is used for:

• ongoing action
• repeated action
• general activity

So traže naturally means they are looking for / they seek.

This is why it fits well in a sentence describing the action itself. Croatian aspect is important, and tražiti focuses on the process of searching, not on a completed result.