Phono-semantic — one part hints at the meaning, another at the sound
Example phrases
那场事故的画面多年后仍清晰地浮现在他的脑海里。Nà chǎng shìgù de huàmiàn duōnián hòu réng qīngxī de fúxiàn zài tā de nǎohǎi lǐ.The images of that accident still appeared clearly in his mind many years later.
旅行中的美好画面一直留在我的脑海里。Lǚxíng zhōng de měihǎo huàmiàn yìzhí liú zài wǒ de nǎohǎi lǐ.The beautiful scenes from the trip have stayed in my mind ever since.
听到这首歌,往事一下子涌上脑海。Tīngdào zhè shǒu gē, wǎngshì yíxiàzi yǒng shàng nǎohǎi.Hearing this song, memories of the past suddenly rushed into my mind.