hera de hikkurikaesu.

In normal Japanese, you would usually write this without spaces:

へらでひっくり返す。

The spaces here are just for learners, to make the parts easier to see:

• へら = spatula
• で = with / using
• ひっくり返す = to flip over

So the spaces are a study aid, not standard Japanese writing.

へら means a spatula or flat utensil used for scraping, spreading, or flipping.

In cooking, it often refers to the tool you use to turn food over in a pan. Depending on the situation, English translations might vary a little:

• spatula
• turner
• scraper

So in this sentence, へら is the tool being used to flip something.

Here, で marks the means or tool used to do the action.

So:

• へらで = with a spatula / using a spatula

This is a very common use of で. It often answers the question by what means? or using what?

Examples:

• ナイフで切る = cut it with a knife
• はしで食べる = eat with chopsticks
• へらでひっくり返す = flip it with a spatula

Because へら is not the thing being directly acted on. It is the tool.

The particle を marks the direct object, but in this sentence, the direct object is the thing being flipped, and that thing is omitted.

So the structure is basically:

• [something] を へらで ひっくり返す
• flip [something] with a spatula

You do not mean flip the spatula. You mean use the spatula to flip something else.

The object is omitted because Japanese often leaves out information that is clear from context.

So へらでひっくり返す。 really means something like:

• [それを] へらでひっくり返す。
• Flip it with a spatula.

In a cooking context, the omitted object could be:

• a pancake
• an omelet
• meat
• anything in the pan

Japanese frequently omits:

• the subject
• the object
• anything already understood

That is very normal.

ひっくり返す means to turn something over, flip something over, or turn it upside down.

It is more vivid and physical than just 返す.

• 返す can mean return, give back, or in some contexts turn over
• ひっくり返す strongly suggests a complete flipping or overturning motion

In cooking, ひっくり返す is very natural for flipping food in a pan.

So:

• パンケーキをひっくり返す = flip the pancake over

It often gives a more dynamic image than a simpler verb.

The dictionary form can be used in several ways, and here it likely sounds like an instruction, recipe step, or casual action description.

In cooking directions, Japanese often uses plain forms like this:

• 切る
• 混ぜる
• 焼く
• ひっくり返す

This can sound like:

• cut
• mix
• cook
• flip over

So even though it is the dictionary form, in context it works like an instruction manual style.

A more polite version might be:

• へらでひっくり返してください。 = Please flip it with a spatula.

No subject is stated, and that is normal.

Depending on context, the implied subject could be:

• you — if this is an instruction
• I / we — if someone is describing what they do
• no explicit subject at all — if it is just a recipe step

Japanese often does not mention the subject when it is obvious.

So this sentence does not need a written subject to sound natural.

ひっくり返す is treated as a set verb meaning to flip over or turn upside down.

You can think of it as built from:

• ひっくり = an adverbial element suggesting a sudden or complete overturning
• 返す = turn over / return

But for learners, it is best to learn ひっくり返す as one useful vocabulary item.

There is also the intransitive version:

• ひっくり返る = to turn over / be overturned

Compare:

• パンケーキをひっくり返す = flip the pancake over
• ボートがひっくり返る = the boat overturns

Yes, especially in contexts like:

• cooking instructions
• recipe steps
• casual spoken directions

By itself, へらでひっくり返す。 feels a little clipped in isolation, but that is completely normal for instructional language.

In fuller everyday speech, you might also hear:

• へらでひっくり返して。 = Flip it with a spatula.
• へらでひっくり返してください。 = Please flip it with a spatula.
• へらでひっくり返すといいよ。 = It’s good to flip it with a spatula.

So the short form is natural, especially when the context is already clear.